Mary Lou McDonald attacks Taoiseach Micheál Martin over his speech and disability payments in Dáil debate

The Irish Dáil witnessed a heated exchange between Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Taoiseach Micheál Martin regarding disability payments and school places for children with special needs. McDonald accused Martin of not listening and of mumbling, while Martin defended his government's significant investment in special education and accused McDonald of deliberately ignoring the increases in funding.

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You mumble. You don’t enunciate.

The debate, which took place during Leaders' Questions, saw McDonald pressing Martin on the reopening of the application window for summer-support programs, as many families had missed the initial deadline. Martin, however, focused on the substantial financial commitment his government had made to special education, citing figures to support his claims and accusing McDonald of attempting to cut these services in the past.

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I beg your pardon?

Martin appeared particularly irked by McDonald's persistent questioning and her comments on his speaking style. He accused her of interrupting and noted her

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You don’t enunciate clearly. I didn’t hear what you said.