The Ceann Comhairle has withdrawn his claim that opposition TDs are "out to get him".

Sean Barrett withdrew the allegation in a personal statement to TDs this afternoon.

Both Fianna Fáil and Sinn Fein accepted Deputy Barrett's claim that the comments were made "in the heat of the moment".

But he denied that Alan Shatter had any influence in his decision to cancel a Dáil debate last week: