Dáil deputy suspended after Dáil confrontation

A TD has been suspended from the Dáil after news that representatives of the IMF and the European Central Bank are in Ireland triggered rowdy scenes in the national parliament.

The announcement that teams from the IMF/ECB are already in place led to a bad-tempered confrontation earlier today, with Fine Gael TD Alan Shatter being suspended after challenging members of the cabinet.

Earlier today the governor of the Central Bank, Patrick Honohan, said Ireland could be in line to receive an EU/IMF emergency loan which could stretch to the "tens of billions".

Enda Kenny, who was also in the Dáil today, said the arrival of the representatives meant it was now confirmed that Ireland had handed over its economic independence to personnel from abroad.

"This day represents the conclusion of the kind of politics practiced by your party," said Kenny. He went on to accuse Fianna Fáil of "gross incompetence" adding that it was the Irish people who would ultimately be left with the bill.