A claim by Fianna Fáil’s Marc MacSharry that Taoiseach Enda Kenny was acting like a clown led to heated exchanges in the Seanad.

Mr MacSharry, referring to recent remarks by Mr Kenny, said it was objectionable in the extreme to hear somebody who had as much to do with the lack of Seanad reform as anybody else accusing the House of doing nothing to stop the excesses of the Celtic Tiger era.

The Sligo-based Senator said that even as a Fianna Fáil person he could say that the northwest and Connacht in particular were never so proud to have a Taoiseach from the area.

“Since being elected to office, however, his contribution has effectively set Knock airport on the path to destruction,’’ he added.

“We see him clowning around Europe, acting like a clown, and turning the Government and his office into a circus ring.’’

Marie Louise O’Donnell (Ind) said Mr Kenny was not acting the clown. “How dare you?’’ she added.

Mr MacSharry said that when somebody looked like a clown, talked like a clown and performed like a clown, they were turning the Government into a circus ring.

Catherine Noone (FG) said Mr MacSharry’s remarks were a bit rich from Fianna Fáil.

Ivana Bacik (Lab) said the Bill to abolish the Seanad was published during last week’s recess and would be debated in the coming weeks.

Personally, she was against its abolition, favouring reform.

“I will be arguing for that, as I always have done, and look forward to making those arguments during the referendum campaign,’’ Ms Bacik added.