Ivana Bacik has apologised after telling the Healy Raes to “shut up” during a tense exchange in Dáil Éireann. 

After the Labour leader asked Taoiseach Simon Harris a question about teacher shortages, heckling could be heard from a corner of the chamber and Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl could be heard telling TDs, ‘Please, please.’ 

Deputy Bacik then turned towards the Healy Rae brothers and said, ‘Oh, shut up.’ 

'Oh, shut up!'

Ivana Bacik hits back at the Healy-Raes - 'I have no time for that nonsense' pic.twitter.com/t2mi4paYAR

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) October 23, 2024

After the heckling continued, the Labour leader told the chamber she had “really had enough”. 

Following Mr Harris’ answer, Deputy Bacik then rose and apologised. 

“Ceann Comhairle, I apologise for my language earlier,” she said. 

“But I am sick of taking insults on cycling and abuse on cycling from deputies who believe that God above is in charge of the weather and who have no record of taking the climate crisis seriously. 

“I have no time for that nonsense.” 

Danny Healy-Rae and Michael Healy-Rae. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie

As heckling could be heard, the Ceann Comhairle appealed once again for calm. 

“Please, deputies, please, deputies,” he said. 

“No, no, wait now. Please, can we stop bickering?

“Can we please stop bickering?” 

Deputy Bacik then returned to the issue of education. 

Main image: Labour's Ivana Bacik outside Leinster House in March 2021. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie