A newspaper column which criticised the appearance of a number of Fianna Fáil politicians has been described as "deplorable" by a party member.
The Irish Mail On Sunday article by Niamh Walsh was described as "nasty" by the Taoiseach.
It criticised the clothes and grooming of eight politicians, who attended the party's convention last week.
Ms Walsh passed comment on Willie O'Dea's facial hair, described Senator Erin McGreehan's dress as creased, said Senator Fiona Loughlin looked as though she was heading to a country hooley and said Barry Cowen's stomach was "belly bulging".
Three other politicians were also named in the article.
Why the need for such a personal, nasty and unkind article?
An article written in an attempt to demean women who take politics seriously, and work hard to make people’s lives better. https://t.co/dDCIUBCb0B
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 12, 2021
Senator Erin McGreehan says it served no purpose but to put people down:
"Words matter if you want to be taken seriously."
"What added value did her words give to the Fianna Fáil think in?"
"There was no added value to her words only to put down 8 people who were there to work and not to help a fashion column."
