WATCH: Laois Minister sparks Dáil row after 'Putin's Puppets' dig

Laois Fianna Fáil Minister Séan Fleming sparked a big row in the Dáil after he said "I have listened to Putin's puppets over there today" when speaking on a motion over Irish neutality.

Minister Fleming was speaking in the direction of Paul Murphy, Bríd Smith and Richard Boyd Barrett when he made the remark. 

Paul Murphy, TD, replied angrily, saying "that is shameful" but Minister Fleming insisted. "You are puppets of Putin. You are on the wrong side of history."

Deputy Danny Healy Rae, who isn't a left wing TD, also took umbrage saying: "How dare he"

Michael Ring TD suspended the Dáil as angry exchanges erupted with demands being made on Minister Fleming to withdraw the remarks on Wednesday, May 29.

Read full exchange from Dáil record

Minister Séan Fleming

We had not seen one before the last general election. It has happened since, with Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine. Whether we like it or not, that has changed the international security situation in Europe, of which we are a part. That has changed fundamentally since the last general election. For people to refer to what people said on previous occasions is not acceptable. Since the last world war, Ireland has been privileged to be a peaceful nation in Europe where there were no military assaults on other countries in the European Union. Putin did it and it would be irresponsible of us not to respond to the change in circumstances or not to take any action.

I have listened to Putin's puppets over there today.

Deputy Paul Murphy: That is shameful.

Deputy Sean Fleming: This is an issue of Putin's puppets versus the people of Ireland.

Deputy Paul Murphy: Chair, I am complaining right now. The last time I complained about that I was told that I had not complained immediately. I am asking that that statement be withdrawn. It is out of order and against Standing Orders.

Deputy Sean Fleming: You are puppets of Putin. You are on the wrong side of history.

Deputy Paul Murphy: The Minister of State called us Putin's puppets. The Acting Chairman must ask him to withdraw it.

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy Michael Ring): Sit down, Deputy.

Deputy Paul Murphy: I am making a request of the Chair. I have written to the Ceann Comhairle about this.

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy Michael Ring); You had your opportunity, Deputy.

Deputy Paul Murphy: Can I get a response? The remark is against Standing Orders and I want it withdrawn.

Deputy Sean Fleming: I have the floor.

Deputy Paul Murphy: The Minister of State just accused us of being Putin's puppets.

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy Michael Ring): No. The Deputy had an opportunity to speak and there will be another ten minutes.

Deputy Sean Fleming: The Deputies opposite will have a wrap-up speech.

Deputy Bríd Smith: I moved the motion and I want the accusation that we are puppets of Putin to be withdrawn. Withdraw it now.

Deputy Sean Fleming: I did not direct my comment at any individual but if the hat fits, you should wear it.

Deputy Bríd Smith: You said the backer of the motion. I am no puppet of Putin.

Deputy Sean Fleming: You obviously feel the hat fits.

Deputy Bríd Smith: Withdraw that accusation.

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy Michael Ring): Deputy, you had your opportunity. Please sit down.

Deputy Paul Murphy: Salient ruling of the Chair 1417 states that Members may not say that another Member is taking orders or instructions from outside interests or its representatives, or speaking for such interests. That is what "Putin's puppets" means.

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy Michael Ring): You made enough allegations earlier that I let go. Please sit down.

Deputy Paul Murphy: This is the salient ruling of the Chair. I am asking that the Acting Chairman get the Minister of State to withdraw the remark. It is very clearly against the rules. I ask him to adjourn and check the rules.

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy Michael Ring): The Deputies have ten minutes but if they want, I will call the debate off.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae: How dare he-----

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy Michael Ring): We will suspend the sitting for five minutes.

Sitting suspended at 11.46 a.m and resumed at 11.48 a.m.

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy Michael Ring): Will the Minister of State withdraw or clarify what he said?

Deputy Sean Fleming: I will specifically clarify what was said. I have listened to the debate over the last hour or so. At least 15 Members of the Opposition have spoken. I referred to Putin's puppets. I did not refer any specific individual. If an individual feels that I was referring to them-----

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae: He called all of us over here puppets.

Deputy Sean Fleming: As I said, 15 Members of the Opposition spoke and I made a reference. If some people feel it relates to them, if the hat fits, they can wear it but I did not put the hat on anyone here today. I mentioned no name. I did not direct my comments at any individual.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae: He called us Putin's puppets. Telling lies

Deputy Bríd Smith: That is not a withdrawal.

Deputy Sean Fleming: It was a general remark and if a Deputy takes offence, that is up to the Deputy. Why would an individual Deputy think I was referring to them if they did not believe it themselves? I am still referring to no Deputy in particular.

Bríd Smith
Deputy Bríd Smith
We are the Opposition. All of us who spoke this morning are liable to that accusation. The Minister of State has breached the order and he will not remove what he said. The order states that a Member shall not say that another Member is taking orders and instructions from outside the interests of the State.

Deputy Sean Fleming
I did not mention another Member.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae
You said that we are over here and you are over there.

Deputy Bríd Smith
We find ourselves in the same position as the Healy-Raes in demanding that you withdraw an accusation that we are Putin's puppets.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae
Who said it so?

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy Michael Ring)
Are you withdrawing the remark?

Deputy Bríd Smith
If you do not do it now-----

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy Michael Ring)
Deputy, please. I have asked the question.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae
Calling us Putin's puppets-----

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy Michael Ring)
Withdraw the remark for the order of the House.

Deputy Sean Fleming
I will withdraw the remark as a result of some Members feeling that the comment was directed towards them, which it was not specifically.

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy Michael Ring)
Deputy Smith, he has withdrawn the remark. Accept that now, please.

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy Michael Ring)
The Minister of State should now continue.

Sean Fleming
Deputy Sean Fleming
We have had an interesting debate over the past hour or so. In particular, we had a very important debate yesterday on recognising the State of Palestine. On the issue of neutrality, the world has changed since the last general election. In my lifetime, I have never seen an invasion by Russia into Europe before. I have heard no------

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae
Ukraine is not in Europe.

Deputy Sean Fleming
What?

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae
Ukraine is not in Europe.

Deputy Sean Fleming
It is not in the European Union. It has preferred status to-----

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae
It was part of Russia.

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy Michael Ring)
Please, Deputy Healy-Rae. I will have to ask you to leave if you do not stop. Let the Minister of State continue.