The Dáil was suspended in a heated row less than 10 minutes after proceedings began this morning.
Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk adjourned the House when Fine Gael justice spokesman Alan Shatter refused to leave the chamber after he accused Mr Kirk of being a "disgrace" for refusing to allow Fine Gael leader Enda
Kenny to challenge the Order of Business.
Mr Shatter claimed the Ceann Comhairle was undermining the credibility of the House.
In response, Mr Kirk accused the Fine Gael TD of “impugning the integrity of the House”.
When Mr Shatter refused to leave the chamber, the Ceann Comhairle suspended the House for 10 minutes.
Mr Kenny demanded that the entire day’s proceedings should be given over to a debate on the negotiations with the EU, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund.
“You’re giving us 95 minutes after 95 years” of independence, said Mr Kenny.
When the Dáil resumed, the Ceann Comhairle asked Mr Shatter to either leave or withdraw his remark.
The Fine Gael TD said his “entitlement to be in this House is set in the Constitution and is based on the election by my constituents”.
He said he would withdraw the remarks on the condition that his party leader would be allowed explain his opposition to the Government’s proposal.
Mr Kirk said “that’s not good enough” and ordered him to leave. A vote was taken to suspend the sitting.
When proceedings resumed there were repeated interruptions and heckling.
Mr Kenny said the Government should resign in disgrace. He said the 12.5 per cent corporation tax was sacrosanct and enshrined in the Lisbon treaty.