Outspoken TD Paul Gogarty today found himself in controversy again after launching a bitter tirade against Labour leader Eamon Gilmore on Twitter.
Mr Gogarty criticised Mr Gilmore as being disingenuous with the citizens of Ireland for not taking a stand on certain political issues.
Writing on his Twitter account, Mr Gogarty said: “These figures really make you want to borrow Gutless Gilmore's strategy of saying nothing and promising nothing so damned eloquently."
His comments attracted a flurry of critical responses from other users of the micro-blogging site.
However, the Green Party was unrepentant. “Doing the right thing ain't easy, unlike Gutless Gilmore. It's not about the next election - it's about the next generation stupid!” he tweeted.
"I don't give a f*** about Gutless Gilmore," he responded to one user.
Speaking to The Irish Times, Mr Gogarty defended his comments. "If Eamon Gilmore took a stand, he might alienate some people but he'd be more of a statesman," he said. "He is totally disingenuous with the citizens of this country by trying to please all people at all times.
"What gets to me is that Eamon Gilmore can sit back on the Croke Park agreement among other issues. He can surf the wave of popular indignation without committing to any one course of action."
In December last year, Mr Gogarty launched an expletive-ridden tirade against Labour TD Emmet Stagg during heated Dáil exchanges on the Social Welfare Bill.
During the debate, Mr Gogarty said his party had succeeded in getting the size of the social welfare cuts reduced. As he continued to speak, defending his support for the Bill, he was heckled by Labour Party TDs.
Turning to Labour TD Emmet Stagg, he shouted: "Fuck you, Deputy Stagg, fuck you."
Mr Gogarty later apologised for his "unparliamentary language", saying he was outraged that somebody should question his sincerity.