Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams is describing the Ceann Comhairle’s treatment of Mary Lou McDonald on Thursday as "unfair and petulant".

Deputy McDonald held a sit-in in the Dáil chamber, after being suspended from the house.

She will be suspended from the Dáil on Tuesday, as part of a two-day suspension.

During an address at a Sinn Féin conference this lunchtime, Mr Adams says Mary Lou McDonald asked legitimate and appropriate questions about water charges and the Ceann Comhairle's refusal to return to the chamber until she left was "silly and bizarre":

"Given his treatment of opposition parties and Independents and particularly Sinn Féin, I have no confidence in the Ceann Comhairle," Mr Adams added.

Sinn Féin is holding the internal party conference in Dubin today, to discuss preparations for the next general election.

Mr Adams has been giving an analysis of the Government's performance and outlining his priorities for the party going forward.

An opinion poll earlier this month showed Sinn Féin's support is the highest of any political party in Ireland.

According to the Sunday Independent poll, Sinn Féin has passed Fine Gael in terms of popularity, with support at 26%.

However, despite the increases in support for the party, Gerry Adams disapproval rating had increased by 8%.

Meanwhile, the chairman of Independent News and Media is calling on Gerry Adams to retract comments he made in the US last week.

Deputy Adams made remarks about holding a newspaper editor at "gunpoint" during a fundraising function in New York.

Speaking at a business event in Dublin last night, the Chairman of Independent News and Media, Leslie Buckley, said "at best, his comments were careless; at worst they were insidious."

You can read more about the story here.

Originally published at 11:44am