15/12/2009

TD Apologises For Using 'F-Word'

The Green Party's Paul Gogarty has apologiesed after angrily swearing at an opposition minister during a Dáil debate on the social welfare cuts yesterday afternoon.

During an exchange in an almost empty Daíl on Monday, Mr Gogarty was interrupted while saying it was hard for him to support the recently announced cuts as they hurt the vulnerable by Labour's Emmet Stagg who accused him of "bleating and blathering".

Mr Gogarty angrily turned to the opposition TD saying: “With all due respect, in the most unparliamentary language, f**k you, Deputy Stagg, f**k you."

He immediately apologised for using "the f-word" and said he wanted to withdraw the comment before adding he was outraged that somebody should question his sincerity.

Deputy Gogarty said he believed old-age pensioners should have had a small cut of 1% or 2% so that others might not have been hurt so badly.

He agreed the rich needed to pay more tax, saying he understood a third rate of tax might be brought in next year.

Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk said he intends to raise the issue of parliamentary standards at the next meeting of the Dáil Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

Changes are now expected to be made to the document dictating acceptable parliamentary language, which currently does not outlaw use of the f-word, after Mr Gogarty's outburst.

(DW/BMcC)

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