The public expenditure minister has appealed for calm in the debate over the abolition in the Seanad.
Brendan Howlin made the comments following a controversial debate in the Seanad yesterday, during which Independent Senator David Norris made disparaging remarks about Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty.
He described her comments on the Seanad as "the Regina Monologues" and said she was "talking through her fanny".
Deputy Doherty has said the remarks were upsetting and "sexist" - and a formal complaint will be made to the leader of the Seanad.
This morning the public expenditure minister Brendan Howlin urged those on either side of the Seanad debate to keep it clean:
He said there are 'serious matters' under debate and he would not like the debate to "degenerate into any personal animosity or personal commentry"
