THE DÁIL DESCENDED into acrimony this afternoon as TDs spent several minutes shouting at each other across the chamber.

It began after Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald and Tánaiste Joan Burton – no strangers to conflict - clashed over health policy during Leaders’ Questions.

As Burton questioned what solutions McDonald had the Sinn Féin deputy leader held up her party’s health policy, which was launched earlier this week:

McDonald even said she would send the document to Burton for Christmas but the Labour leader offered a withering assessment:

That document has no costings in it at all.

A huge shouting and roaring match ensued with notable but inaudible contributions from the Fine Gael TD Dinny McGinley .

Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh could also be heard angrily roaring across the chamber.

Before things calmed down, Burton became particularly incensed by one deputy, and told him:

We want to see more women in this Dáil precisely to avoid the kind of behaviour you’ve just indulged in. A barroom brawler, a barroom brawler, you’re a disgrace.

Later, Burton said that, notwithstanding the tension, she wanted to wish everybody a “happy and peaceful Christmas”.

McDonald echoed those sentiments while noting her “unending frustration” with Burton’s answers during Leaders’ Questions.

After business concludes today, the Dáil won’t return until 13 January. We’ll all be glad for the break.

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