Sinn Fein says it has no confidence in the Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil, Seán Barrett. after mounting a sit-in in the chamber.

Business was held up for four hours because of the sit-in, and then abandoned entirely until next Tuesday.

TDs voted to suspend Mary Lou McDonald from the chamber, but the Sinn Féin deputy leader refused to leave.

This evening she says Mr Barrett is not fit for the job.

Dáil business was halted indefinitely earlier after TDs voted to suspend Ms McDonald, who then refused to leave.

Tánaiste Joan Burton told Sinn Féin she could not answer a question on Revenue involvement in water charges as no decision has been made.

Amidst furious scenes earlier, Ms McDonald was asked to leave the chamber by Mr Barrett.

During Leaders' Questions, Ms McDonald pressed Ms Burton on the question she had asked on Irish Water, stating that for two weeks she has not given her a straight answer.

Ms Burton was outlining the package which would be issued by the government next week.

The Ceann Comhairle asked Ms McDonald to take her seat. When she refused, he asked her to leave the chamber. She refused again.

Following this, the Ceann Chomhairle asked for a vote on suspension of a member. It was voted that she should be suspended and Ms McDonald was once again asked to leave the house.

She refused and the House was suspended.

In a statement earlier, Mr Barrett said: "The stand-off in the Dáil chamber is deeply regrettable, especially when important business is being dealt with by the Dail."

"I cannot resume the business of the House until this sit-in is stopped. It must be clearly understood that it is not my decision that Deputy McDonald leave the House but it is a decision that was taken by the majority by way of vote."

"If this action continues beyond 4:30 p.m. and for the purpose of avoiding further reputational damage to the Institution, I will have no option but to formally adjourn the sitting until next Tuesday at 2pm," Mr Barrett added.

Adams: 'I support Mary Lou in her actions' | Image: Photocall

Meanwhile Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has given his support to Ms McDonald.

"I support Mary Lou McDonald in her actions this afternoon. Yet again, the Tánaiste would not answer a question put to her. These questions are voicing the concerns of countless thousands of citizens. Yet time and time again, the Minister refuses to answer them," Mr Adams said.

"The Ceann Comhairle continually allows ministers to get away with this practice of not answering questions. The central tenet of parliamentary democracy is for the opposition to hold the executive to account. This does not happen in the Dáil. This certainly didn't happen today."

"The Ceann Comhairle is continually deferential to ministers. It is for this reason Mary Lou McDonald, in her refusal to leave the Dáil chamber today, has the full support of Sinn Féin."

"The opposition is mandated to hold the government to account. The Ceann Comhairle's responsibility is to facilitate this in a fair way. Given his treatment of the opposition parties and independents and particularly Sinn Féin I have no confidence in the Ceann Comhairle," he added.

Hear the proceedings leading up to the suspension vote.

Ms McDonald earlier posted on her Facebook page, saying her question to Ms Burton still stands:

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