THE DÁIL WAS suspended for five minutes today after a row erupted between Communications Minister Alex White and Fianna Fáil deputy Seán Fleming.

White was answering Leaders’ Questions on behalf of Tánaiste Joan Burton when the discussion turned to the banks’ failure to reduce variable mortgage rates.

Fleming asked White if the government was “powerless when it comes to the banks” or simply “choosing to do nothing”.

He accused White of “reading a script” and failing to address the issue.

I thought I would get a very good, intelligent answer from you … Minister, I’m afraid to say, you actually sounded like a ventriloquist’s dummy today.

White hit back at Fleming, saying he is “well aware that there is no statutory power to direct a deduction in rates”.

Things escalated quickly with back-and-forth on both sides.

Eventually Leas Ceann Comhairle Michael Kitt suspended the house when Fleming refused to sit down.

Earlier today, both Enda Kenny and Joan Burton said banks should pass on low ECB interest rates to their customers.

Burton said she’s “never known bankers to be particularly grateful people”, saying they may have forgotten that taxpayers’ money recapitalised them.

Hoping for a mortgage rate cut from one of these banks? Sorry, not happening

Dáil suspended three times IN ONE HOUR as Burton and SF clash on abuse claims