The Dáil was suspended briefly this morning following a heated row.
Fine Gael spokesman on children Alan Shatter insisted that a European directive on combating the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and child pornography should be discussed in a plenary Dáil session.
“It should be discussed on the floor of the House and not simply be nodded through,’’ he added.
When Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk said that the matter could not be raised on the Order of Business, Mr Shatter insisted on continuing to speak.
Mr Kirk ordered him to leave the House and then adjourned proceedings for 10 minutes.
When the Dáil resumed, Sinn Féin’s Aengus O Snodaigh said that important issues should not be passed by the House without debate.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny attended for the Order of Business at 10.30am, but left during the adjournment to prepare for the parliamentary party meeting at 11.30 am. His place was taken by fellow Mayo TD Michael Ring.