There were sharp exchanges in the Dáil when Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin raised the controversy over allegations by Belfast woman Maíria Cahill of rape by a senior IRA figure and cover-up by Sinn Féin.

Mr Martin called for a debate on the issue and the response of Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams to Ms Cahill's allegations.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the Oireachtas justice committee should deal with the issue and ask relevant people to attend before it and he would contact chairman David Staunton about it.

Mr Adams said he had no objection to the Oireachtas looking at any allegation of abuse, particularly child abuse, with the committee dealing with the issue.

But he sharply criticised both the Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin for failing to approach him “and ask me for my version of these events”.

He said he wanted to make it clear “there’s been no cover-up by me or Sinn Féin on this matter”.

Mr Kenny, who meets Ms Cahill tomorrow, said “the false assumption of a war being waged doesn’t justify shootings or disappearances or kangaroo courts”.

He also said he would “not last five minutes” as Taoiseach if the issue had involved Fine Gael.