Wicklow TDs in row as Dail is suspended

February 2002

DAIL EIREANN had to be suspended for a time yesterday after a furious row erupted between two of Wicklow’s senior politicians.

The Ceann Comhairle of the house was forced to call a 15 minute recess amidst allegations from the Labour Party that Fianna Fail TD Dick Roche had called his constituency colleague Deputy Liz McManus a ‘pro-abortionist’.

The Fianna Fail TD strenuously denied the allegations, as Labour members called on the Ceann Comhairle to replay tapes of the debate – which subsequently found Deputy Roche’s comment to be inaudible.

Notwithstanding this, Deputy McManus remained adamant that the comment was made.

‘I heard it, an a number of my colleagues heard it as well. The only doubt that exists in my mind is whether the remark was directed specifically at me, or at the whole party,’ she said.