A government TD has accused the Ceann Comhairle of "losing his cool" over his running of the Dáil.

Fine Gael's James Bannon was speaking after the Ceann Comhairle, Sean Barrett, criticised his contributions in the chamber this lunchtime.

Deputy Bannon was trying to ask the government when it would publish legislation to overhaul the management of third-level colleges.

But his efforts were interrupted by the Ceann Comhairle, who seemed less than impressed:

The comments came only a few minutes after the chairman suspended the Dail for ten minutes, when Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin demanded that the Justice Minister issue an explanation of his sacking of Oliver Connolly.

Minister Shatter is unavailable, as he is in Greece attending a meeting of EU defence ministers.

Deputy Martin insisted on asking the government why it was not explaining the circumstances of Mr Connolly's sacking - and the Dáil was suspended for ten minutes when Deputy Martin refused to keep the peace,