Mr Des O'Malley (PD, Limerick East) apologised to the Ceann Comhairle for remarks he made in the House on Wednesday. Addressing Mr Sean Treacy during heated exchanges he had said: "Conduct yourself, Treacy." The matter was raised yesterday by Mr Charles Flanagan (FG, Laois Offaly) who asked if the party leader, Ms Mary Harney, had instructed Mr O'Malley to formally apologise to the House.

Mr O'Malley said he did not need instructions from anybody. He understood that he should not have addressed the Ceann Comhairle in the manner which he did and he regretted it. Mr Treacy said: "May I say, Deputy O'Malley, I have been called worse."