FIANNA FÁIL LEADER Micheál Martin has described members of the AAA-PBP as the ‘pro-Russia alliance’ during a feisty short debate on Syria.

Deputies were not even debating the war itself but merely agreeing to discuss the issue on Thursday when a row broke out.

It followed what had already been a testy hour in the Dáil chamber in which Ceann Comhairle Sean Ó Fearghaíl was forced to take some TDs to task, including his party leader Martin.

After some back and forth, Ó Fearghaíl confirmed that they would be discussing the situation in Aleppo on Thursday.

People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith interjected and said that the debate should be about “Syria”.

The Ceann Comhairle accepted this but it started an argument in the chamber:

Micheál Martin: Because you don’t want to be condemning Russia on Aleppo, that’s your problem. Richard Boyd Barrett: (Inaudible) Sean Ó Fearghaíl: Ah please, deputy Boyd Barrett please. Micheál Martin: You would never condemn Russia. You guys are incapable of condemning Russia. Bríd Smith: I just want to raise the fact that the French are also bombing Syria. Micheál Martin: Absolutely, always dilute the Russian contribution to the slaughter and genocide in Aleppo. Sean Ó Fearghaíl: Deputy Martin, can we focus on the legislation please? Micheál Martin: I’m glad I’ve excited some bloody activity on it at some stage… On the order of business proper. Richard Boyd Barrett: One sided humanitarian disaster… Micheál Martin: Ah yea, there you go again. I’m doing my best not to be provoked by the pro-Russia alliance on my right, which stretches across to Sinn Féin. And that’s been a consistent feature of this Dáil. Gino Kenny: You should withdraw that. You should withdraw that remark, you should withdraw that. Micheál Martin: I will not withdraw it, I will not. Gino Kenny: You should make an apology.

Martin continued on with the next item of business without withdrawing the remark.