Insults fly during leaders' questions

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny handed Tánaiste Michael McDowell the Dáil floor during leaders' questions this morning with a reference to one of the defining moments of the last election campaign.

Citing Mr McDowell's political stunt when he climbed a lampost in Ranelagh with a poster during the 2002 election campaign warning of the dangers of single party government, Mr Kenny called on the Tánaiste to outline "what is it exactly" he has done "to avoid single party government - based on an endless list of broken promises - all of which you were involved in."

Mr McDowell replied by lambasting the Mr Kenny's last period in government and branded Labour leader Pat Rabbitte "a half-minister in a high-chair" during his period at the Cabinet table.

Unemployment was 10.6 per cent, he said "the rate of unemployment that toppled governments across Western Europe." The Tánaiste said he was "absolutely confident that the public would take a long hard look at the Opposition's benches and would say 'no thanks'."

Questioning the achievements of Mr Kenny and Mr Rabbitte, Mr McDowell said: "This is a very special year - this is the year in which you will be 50 years collectively sitting in this house."

"I've gone around the country and asked audiences if they could name one achievement by deputy Rabbite or Deputy Kenny at any time in those 50 years between them and they haven't been able to answer me anywhere in the country," he said.

The opposition parties are "a combinatoin of underachievers " that "have no achievements to your name" he claimed.

During the discussions, Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon threatened to throw Labour whip Emmett Stagg out of the House for accusing Mr McDowell of telling lies.

"I made no allegation," said Mr Stagg. "What do you mean I have to leave the House?"

He added: "You are being stupid if you don't mind me saying so", before withdrawing the lie allegation.

Mr McDowell replied: "If the people of Ireland wants a demonstration of how poor a government consisting of the Opposition would be, they just have to look at the last performance. "Arrogance, deceit and incompetence, all rolled up into one."

To much laughter in the chamber, Mr McDowell went on to say that when interviewed on RTÉ radio last Sunday, Deputy Kenny was asked what achievement of his he could point to in Irish politics. "He replied by saying he had improved the St Patrick's Day parade."

Dismissing the Tánaiste's jibes, Deputy Kenny attacked Mr McDowell by saying that as deputy leader of the Goverment - Mr McDowell was "partly responsible" for the 40,000 operations that were cancelled in the last two years, the 29,000 people who cannot meet their consultants because they are on waiting lists, the length of A&E waiting lists and the failure of the Government to reduce class sizes.

In conclusion, Mr Kenny said the Tánaiste's comments were the sign of someone who was "worried" and "desperate"