The Finance spokesperson for Sinn Fein has described a row between the Ceann Comhairle and Independent TD Luke Ming Flanagan as “political banter”.

Deputy Flanagan hit out at the Dail chairmanship of Sean Barrett in a newspaper article.

Deputy Falnnagan has also refused to apologise for his comments.

The Labour Party Chief Whip Emmet Stagg has said the comments were out of order.

But Pearse Doherty from Sinn Fein says it is just part of the day-to-day running of Leinster House.