Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was on the receiving end of a telling-off from Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher Leas Cheann Comhairle yesterday.
The Fianna Fáil TD was chairing a Dail discussion on the Order of Business when the Taoiseach was accused of ‘misleading’ the house in relation to Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald’s knowledge about the case of garda whistleblower, Sgt Maurice McCabe.
Taoiseach Varadkar rejected allegations that he misled the house and directed instructions at Leas Cheann Comhairle Pat The Cope on how the matter should be dealt with.
The Taoiseach said: “I do not wish to tell the Leas-Cheann Comhairle how to do his job here – he should not take me up in that way – but I believe it is important that he, his office or somebody get some legal advice.”
Pat the Cope fiercely responded: “Hold on. I do not need legal advice on a simple question. Deputies are requesting that an opportunity be given to make statements. It is a matter for the House, not a matter of legal advice for me.
“I might not be a lawyer but I have common sense. I have been here for 36 or 37 years and I will not be dictated to by anybody in this House, not even the Taoiseach.”
Pat the Cope did not let Varadkar interject, and silenced him by saying: “Hold on. The Taoiseach is not in the Chair.”
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