Mr Joe Higgins (Socialist Party, Dublin West) refused to leave the Dail chamber, after being suspended by the Ceann Comhairle, Mr Seamus Pattison.

However, Mr Higgins had left the chamber when the House resumed after a five-minute adjournment and watched the proceedings from the public gallery.

Earlier, Mr Pattison had ruled Mr Higgins out of order, claiming that under standing orders the deputy could not speak on a proposal on the Order of Business.

Mr Higgins observed: "The speaking arrangements in the Dail today are reminiscent of the ways of the late and unlamented Stalinist politburo."

As he continued to speak the Ceann Comhairle ordered him to leave the chamber.