The Taoiseach has accused the Sinn Féin president of "rank hypocrisy" for criticising the Government for favouring the super rich, when she attended a $400-a-plate fundraising dinner in New York.
Leo Varadkar was responding to criticism from Mary Lou McDonald over proposed cuts to flat rate expenses for some workers during Leaders' Questions in the Dáil.
"On the day of the Armistice, a particularly important day for Protestant and Unionist people in this country, and the day we inaugurate our president, the day we show respect for our constitution, you were in New York clinking champagne and eating €400 lunches with the super rich," Mr Varadkar told her.
WATCH: Taoiseach @campaignforleo accuses @SinnFein leader @MaryLouMcDonald of hypocrisy for missing Presidential inauguration & Armistice day commemorations as she was in New York attending a $400 a plate fundraiser pic.twitter.com/afg9XT9sCL
— RTÉ Politics (@rtepolitics) November 20, 2018
Ms McDonald said she had taken part in a Remembrance Service in Sligo on 14 November.
She went on to say that workers such as nurses, kitchen workers, and defence force members would be affected by the proposed cut to flat rate allowances.
The @sinnfeinireland leader responded that she attended an Armistice Day centenary commemoration in Sligo pic.twitter.com/gxGcYx6AZq
— RTÉ Politics (@rtepolitics) November 20, 2018
"You want to create a vouched system for them to create a modest relief," Ms McDonald said, telling the Taoiseach that there was no such system for members of Leinster House.
Mr Varadkar responded that the review of the flat rate allowance was being conducted by the Revenue Commissioners and would not take effect until 2020.
Ms McDonald said the proposed cut would cost shop assistants €120 a year, and would yield €9 million for the exchequer.
