Taoiseach Enda Kenny accused members of Sinn Féin of engaging in insulting behaviour in Limerick on Monday night.

In sharp Dáil exchanges with SF leader Gerry Adams, he said a "number of his people . . . were most insulting to ordinary people who attended a party meeting".

Mr Kenny said he was sure that Mr Adams might send a message to them.

“I do not believe he would condone some of the language that was directed towards women who had attended the meeting and were walking home as ordinary citizens by people who were carrying banners associated with his party,” he added. “The deputy might send them a message, please.”

Mr Adams said he would not accept the Taoiseach’s word for what transpired in Limerick.

“However, let me say clearly that I stand over the principle of peaceful demonstrations which should not be insulting or threatening to anybody,” he added.

Earlier, Mr Adams said from the outset Irish Water had "reeked of cronyism, jobs for the boys and reckless waste of public money, not least the €86 million spent on consultants".

Mr Adams said that Michael McNicholas, chief executive of parent company Ervia owned shares in a company NTR plc, formerly National Toll Roads, which was making millions out of water meter contracts. Mr McNicholas was also an adviser to NTR plc.

He asked the Taoiseach to say he if thought it satisfactory that the man who headed up Irish Water’s parent company owned significant shares in a company that was set to make millions from Irish Water contracts.

Mr Kenny said he did not speak for Mr McNicholas. “He answered the question for himself very clearly yesterday,” said the Taoiseach.

Mr Adams said he had not asked the Taoiseach to speak for Mr McNicholas. “I asked the Taoiseach to say whether he thinks it is satisfactory that the man who heads up Irish Water’s parent company owns significant shares in a company that is set to make millions from Irish Water contracts. It is very simple.’’

Mr Kenny replied that the question was a matter for Ervia. Mr McNicholas had stated that he had declared that he had shares in NTR quite openly, he said.

"He also excused himself from any commercial or contractual dealings with Celtic Anglian Water, as required under the Ervia code of conduct ," added Mr Kenny. "He is completely in compliance with that code."

Mr McNicholas, added the Taoiseach, had said he would divest his shares, more than 400,000 of them and give the proceeds to Focus Ireland.

“I note that Mr McNicholas will step down from his role on the advisory committee of NTR to ensure there is no appearance of conflict of interest,” said Mr Kenny.

He said he welcomed his commitment to building public confidence in Irish Water and ensuring there were appropriate governance structures within the utility.

A single unitary board for the Ervia group was being established, with new members chosen for their particular competence and expertise.

“I hope the Government has responded to the legitimate concerns and anxieties expressed by the people about PPS numbers, call-out charges and bonus regimes,” he added.