The Dáil was suspended this morning after the Labour Party leader accused the Ceann Comhairle of being "congenitally incapable" of being fair.
In angry exchanges during leaders' questions, Mr Pat Rabbitte repeatedly refused to back down in his accusations that the Ceann Comhairle was unfairly shielding the Government from questions.
During an exchange with the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Rabbitte called on Mr Walsh to name the Garda stations that the Minister for Justice last week said would be closed down.
There was uproar when Mr Walsh in response, said Garda strength was at an all-time high and said if Mr Rabbitte had any specific questions he should submit a Dáil question on the matter. The Ceann Comhairle then said Mr Rabbitte was only entitled to one question
However, Mr Rabbitte said he had only asked one question on Garda stations and did not get any answer. Mr Rabbitte then said Dr Rory O'Hanlon was "the most partisan chair" he had ever seen in the Dáil.
The Ceann Comhairle asked Mr Rabbitte to withdraw the remark to which the Labour leader retorted that "time after time you (the Ceann Comhairle) have intervened to protect the Government."
"You do it virtually everyday and I am sick of it," Mr Rabbitte said. He then accused Dr O'Hanlon of being "congenitally incapable of being fair."
The Ceann Comhairle said he intended to give Mr Rabbitte time to consider his position before he would be asked to leave the house. He then suspended the House for five minutes.
On his return to the chamber, Mr Rabbitte said: "I'm sorry that my remarks lead to disruption of the House, but I regret that I cannot withdraw them. I withdraw from the House rather than withdraw them." Mr Rabbitte then left the House.
In a statement released later this morning, Mr Rabbitte said "The opposition cannot reasonably be expected to discharge its legitimate role of holding the government to account if the Ceann Comhairle intervenes unreasonably, as he is wont to do".
"Gradually over the years the position of parliament has been eroded and shackled by the government, thus diminishing the relevance of Dail Eireann," he added.
The Government Chief Whip, Ms Mary Hanafin, this afternoon called for an apology from Mr Rabbitte. There was no comment from Dr O'Hanlon.
