The Dail was adjourned unexpectedly yesterday after the Labour spokeswoman on children and the family, Ms Roisin Shortall, twice refused to leave the House when she was suspended from the sitting.
In an unprecedented move the Ceann Comhairle, Mr Seamus Pattison, adjourned the Dail until this morning after the row which arose from an apparent mix-up over two different pieces of legislation.
Ms Shortall had asked the Taoiseach during the Order of Business about the Juvenile Justice Bill, but Mr Ahern responded about the Children's Bill.
The Labour TD for Dublin North West repeatedly asked about the Bill, and the Leas Ceann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, said she would be suspended if she continued to ask questions.
Ms Shortall said she was trying to get a reply, and the Taoiseach had been confusing everyone for the last few months. She wanted to know if there was going to be a new Juvenile Justice Bill or would the original be amended.
Mr Ahern said the Bill was the Children's Bill, but Ms Shortall said the legislation was the Juvenile Justice Bill. Mr Ahern said there were almost 300 amendments so it would be better to draw up a new Bill. Ms Shortall said this was new information the Taoiseach was giving to the House and she asked when the legislation could be expected. Mr Ahern replied: "As soon as possible". Ms Shortall persisted with questions and was asked to resume her seat. When she refused the sitting was suspended for 10 minutes.
When it resumed Ms Shortall took her seat again surrounded by her colleagues. She refused to leave the Chamber and Dr O'Hanlon suspended the House a second time for five minutes, to call in the Ceann Comhairle.
The Ceann Comhairle said that as Deputy Shortall refused to leave the House, the sitting was suspended and adjourned until today at 10.30 a.m.
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