Dublin Bay North delegate Jeff Johnson, who said he would speak in English “so people can understand”, told the Fine Gael ardfheis on Saturday that the party had caused a lot of controversy with its Irish language policy and “it’s an awful pity, especially in the last five years”.

He said “we’ve lost members in Dublin Bay North and it’s led to protests outside Fine Gael headquarters and Conradh na Gaeilge emailing their members and anyone affiliated with them not to vote for the party”.