Dáil suspended amid heated row between Pearse Doherty and Minister for Finance

The Dáil was suspended on Wednesday afternoon after a heated row between Pearse Doherty and the Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath.

Donegal TD Doherty, the Sinn Féin finance spokesperson, and McGrath clashed over an expected hike in fuel prices.

Deputy Doherty claimed that the planned rise in fuel costs will lead to a situation whereby petrol and diesel could be 20 cent cheaper in the North.

Deputy Doherty said there was major concern among businesspeople.

“I am so disappointed that the Minister for Finance wouldn't address the issue I raised,” he said, “There are 390 businesspeople and you wouldn't answer the question, what are they going to do when petrol and diesel are 20 cent cheaper across the border?”

An animated Deputy Doherty blasted: “You divert. You divert. You divert. And it's on your watch. It's on your watch and you're doing this deliberately with them.”

Deputy Doherty told Minister McGrath that he was being 'dishonest' and added: “You make the decision to jack up the price. Shame on you.”

Minister McGrath hit back by saying that there was no 20 cent hike.

He said: “You're just going around telling them what they want to hear.”

Verona Murphy, who was in the chair for the proceedings intervened, telling the pair: This is not a circus. This is Leinster House Dáil Éireann.”

Minister McGrath said his felt he was 'being provoked on a constant basis' and Deputy Murphy said: “Minister, whether you like it or not I am in teh Chair. And what I am doing now is going to suspend the house for five minutes until you all calm down and have some respect.”