McGrath seeks action on 'insult' by Green TD

THE DISSIDENT Fianna Fáil TD Mattie McGrath is to ask the Dáil Committee on Procedure and Privileges to investigate “horrible” and “insulting” comments allegedly made to him by the Green Party deputy leader and Minister of State Mary White.

He regarded the remarks as so shocking and offensive that he “could not repeat them on air” during an interview on RTÉ Radio One at the weekend.

Mr McGrath is also “considering taking legal advice” relating to the incident which, he said, took place in the Dáil chamber during last week’s debate and vote on legislation to ban stag hunting.

Mr McGrath claimed Ms White “stopped me on the steps and said the most horrible thing to me which was very insulting”.

He told The Irish Timesthat Ms White had asked him if he had "heard of a frontal lobotomy" and that he told her that he didn't know what that was. He felt that she was suggesting he might need such a procedure. He said her comments were overheard by another backbench Fianna Fáil TD.

He explained that the insult was of a serious medical nature and suggestive of mental disorder. He had later discussed its meaning with another TD who is also a doctor.

The following day, Mr McGrath approached Ms White to ask for an explanation and an apology. He claimed that she refused to apologise, and said that her remarks were "made in jest" and that she had been referring to "a film called One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest".

Mr McGrath described her behaviour as “condescending” and believed it fell short of the “ethics and standards which ought to apply” among deputies in the House.

Contacted by The Irish Timesyesterday, Ms White, a TD for Carlow-Kilkenny, said "there is no issue".

She acknowledged that she occasionally chats to Mr McGrath but the discussions were of the “Howya Mattie?” variety and “never about policy”. She had “never had an intellectual conversation with Mattie”, who she regarded as “a self-publicist who is well able to look after himself”.

She had “no comment” to make regarding his allegations but said that, “Mattie is quite entitled to take legal advice”.

Mr McGrath, who represents Tipperary South, lost the Fianna Fáil parliamentary whip after voting against the Government’s Bill to ban stag hunting which was introduced by Minister for the Environment John Gormley.

He also plans to vote against the Government on the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill on Thursday.