The Dáil debate on education cuts erupted into controversy last night after Fine Gael claimed that junior minister Conor Lenihan had described its enterprise spokesman Leo Varadkar as a “fascist”.
As the first session of the debate - which is being held over two days - drew to a close, Fine Gael’s communications spokesman, Simon Coveney, demanded that Mr Lenihan withdraw the alleged remark made in the course of testy exchanges between Government and Opposition.
However, Mr Lenihan strenuously denied that he had referred to any TD as a fascist.
“I did not call anyone a fascist,” he responded in the Dáil. “I said [Mr Varadkars’s] policies were associated with the British Fascist Party.”
Mr Lenihan said he had nothing to apologise for and that he had referred to policies.
Mr Lenihan has previously apologised for remarks made in the chamber. He withdrew comments directed at the former socialist TD Joe Higgins that he should “stick with the kebabs”, a reference to Mr Higgins campaigning work on behalf of Turkish building workers.
Another Fine Gael TD, Fergus O’Dowd, also claimed that a Nazi salute had been made in the Chamber tonight. “There was a Nazi salute too, Deputies cannot make Nazi salutes in this Chamber,” Mr O’Dowd said in the Dáil.
Mr Coveney rose as the debate closed to demand that Mr Lenihan withdraw the remark which he claimed the junior minister for immigration had made across the chamber while Fine Gael’s Denis Naughten was speaking on the matter.
Mr Varadkar replied to Mr Lenihan’s comment by saying he might need an injection. Fine Gael’s Brian Hayes added the jibe that he might need a kebab.
Leas-Cheann Comhairle Brendan Howlin said he had not heard the word "fascist" being used but said he would review the record of the House and would bring the matter to the attention of Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue.
The unedited transcript of the debate makes no reference any use of the word "fascist" by Mr Lenihan as he heckled the Fine Gael benches.
As Mr Naughten spoke about the difficulties facing immigrant children, the transcript records Mr Lenihan as saying: “Deputy Varadkar wants to bus them and segregate them.”
In all he makes two references connecting Mr Varadkar to segregation. It is thought he was referring to comments by Mr Varadkar that unemployed immigrants be given incentives to return home.
Mr Lenihan could not be contacted for comment last night.