The Dáil was suspended three times this afternoon following angry exchanges over Tánaiste Joan Burton's comments on the republican links of an alleged abuser.
The row broke out after Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald raised long standing allegations of sex abuse by Irish language activist Domhnall Ó Lubhlaí.
Allegations against Mr Ó Lubhlaí, who died last year, date from 1955.
Ms McDonald asked that a garda review on the case be passed on to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
In a statement the Department for Justice and Equality said it received no request from TUSLA for any information.
The department added it does not have any information that would be relevant to a TUSLA inquiry.
Ms Burton said she had been given no notification of the issue and said it should be raised with the department.
She said in any reference she heard of him, his connections with the republican movement were always strongly identified.
The Tánaiste said that, as acknowledged by Sinn Féin, there has been a problem with paedophilia and sex abuse in the republican movement.
Sinn Féin accused Ms Burton of making defamatory remarks aimed at the party.
The comments led to angry exchanges and the suspension of the Dáil.
Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett said he had the records of the Dáil checked and there were no allegations made against members of Sinn Féin.
He asked Sinn Féin to check the records and said he would return to it if there was an issue.
After further argument involving Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh, the Ceann Comhairle suspended the Dáil for half an hour.
Following the resumption, Mr Ó Snodaigh tried to raise Ms Burton's remarks again, however the Ceann Comhairle told him he should bring this to the Committee on Privilege and Procedures.
Mr Ó Snodaigh refused to resume his seat and the Ceann Comhairle suspended the Dáil for a third time.
The Dáil resumed after Mr Ó Snodaigh agreed to bring his complaints about the Tánaiste's remarks to the relevant committee.
