A Newstalk survey has found that 90% of TD's and Senators regularly receive verbal and physical abuse.

These threats vary from people approaching politicians on the streets and verbally abusing them, to being  threatened with physical abuse by people on the street.

However the majority of the abuse and threats happen on social media.

46% of the politicians surveyed had received death threats online, while a number of female TD's and Senators said they regularly received anonymous messages telling them they'll be raped.

Newstalk reporter Barry Whyte had this special report for the Pat Kenny Show...