An Oireachtas committee yesterday became embroiled in a row after calls were made for efforts to tackle social welfare problems facing workers affected by the foot-and-mouth crisis.
The Labour Party TD, Mr Tommy Broughan, and Mr Matt Brennan TD (FF) clashed, calling each other "a disgrace".
Mr Broughan told the Joint Committee on Family Community and Social Affairs that due to the impact of the crisis it should hold an urgent meeting addressed by the relevant Minister, Mr Dermot Ahern.
Mr Brian Hayes TD (FG) said between 20,000 and 40,000 workers were potentially affected. It was taking too long for people looking for unemployment assistance to get it.
Mr Brennan said there was "no poverty out there" and people made jobless knew how to go about claiming unemployment benefit. "We are just raising this to have something to raise. There is no problem whatsoever."