GREEN PARTY TD Paul Gogarty has said his use of an expletive in the Dáil chamber yesterday was a “genuine emotive response” to having his integrity questioned by another deputy.

Mr Gogarty said “fuck you” twice to Labour TD Emmet Stagg during heated exchanges on the Social Welfare Bill. He immediately apologised and withdrew the comment.

Outside the chamber later, Mr Gogarty said he could not recall exactly what Mr Stagg had said. “It [the expletive] was a genuine emotive response to someone questioning your integrity. I said it. I apologised for it . . . it’s probably too much to ask for, but I do hope that what I said in my speech will be covered, rather than just the lyrics of a Lily Allen song,” he said outside the chamber.

“Put it this way, I’ve always been someone who’s a straight talker and I’m not immune to the odd curse outside the House, but I acknowledge that you shouldn’t use such unparliamentary language in the Parliament.”

Mr Stagg said he was not concerned about the personal insult.

“I’m a thick-skinned person and in politics you develop a hide. The use of the four-letter word is inappropriate of course, but I have often been told to you-know-what before,” he said. “I’d be very disappointed if Paul Gogarty’s misuse of a few words in the house took away from the real news: a really savage Social Welfare Bill.”

Ceann Comhairle Séamus Kirk said “decent standards” must be maintained in Leinster House, and confirmed the incident was being referred to the Dáil Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

“It’s important we have respect for the House and respect for one another in the House. The important thing is that this doesn’t happen again,” Mr Kirk said.

Fine Gael Senator Frances Fitzgerald said: “If only Paul Gogarty got as upset about carers, blind pensioners and dole recipients as he does about perceived slights to his ego.”