A war of words has broken out between Fianna Fβil and Labour in an altercation which is a sure indication that a general election is looming.
The quarrel centres on remarks made by the Labour leader, Mr Ruair∅ Quinn, at a Christmas party in the members' restaurant in Leinster House last week.
In a rallying pre-election speech, delivered shortly before 11 p.m. last Thursday night, he told guests, mainly Labour Party members, that the key task in the new year would be to "get the bastards out".
Fianna Fβil took serious umbrage at the remarks, published in The Irish Times yesterday.
The Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, and former minister for foreign affairs Mr David Andrews deplored the use of this kind of language.
Rather than apologise, Labour went on the offensive.
Its Environment spokesman, Mr Eamon Gilmore, said he had no idea Fianna Fβil were such "delicate flowers" and had led such sheltered lives that the use of a rude word had them all rushing for the smelling salts.
"Clearly if Noel Dempsey is reduced to a state of nervous shock by this reported remark, he must never have been at a football match in Meath."
Mr Gilmore said he was particularly relieved that neither man appeared to have read Mr Charles Haughey's 1984 Hot Press interview "when he spoke of wanting to push "a load of f**kers over a cliff (after cutting their throats)".
"Clearly, on the basis of their reaction to Ruair∅ Quinn's reported comments, they would both have fled from Fianna Fβil in horror", said Mr Gilmore.
He added: "And Mr Haughey was talking about members of his own party!"
A Labour Party source said Fianna Fβil was totally overreacting.
But Mr Dempsey said the alleged comment by Mr Quinn suggested that he "has sunk even lower in political abuse, and further undermines the public perception of political life in Ireland."
Mr Andrews called on Mr Quinn to apologise for the remarks "about Fianna Fβil members the length and breadth of the country".
He said the comments were unbecoming of any politician, especially a former minister in Mr Quinn's position.