The Foreign Affairs Minister accused Sinn Féin of not using its power in the US to push for the end to the war in Gaza.
“I would have more respect for your position if I had seen the Sinn Féin party more robust in the United States where you have considerable influence and where you raise a lot of money.
“But your silence in the United States on the Palestinian question has been extraordinary,” he said.
“That’s bullsh*t and you know it,” fired back Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy.
He insisted how it wasn’t true despite the Tánaiste saying it was.
Mr Carthy then asked for the chair of the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee, Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan, to make sure “the witness answers the question”.
Minister Martin said he wasn’t a witness but the Minister of the Committee, and used Mr Carthy’s remark to make a further dig at Sinn Féin.
“Everybody is a witness to you guys,” he said as Mr Carthy insisted he answer questions on the Occupied Territories Bill.
The Committee was meeting to discuss the legislation as opposition TDs and Senators attempt to pass it before the general election is called later this week.
However, the row between the Tánaiste and Cavan Monaghan TD broke out over Fianna Fáil’s handling of the law.
Mr Carthy said he has not had a single conversation with a US official or politician where the issue of Palestine wasn’t raised.
The TD said the Government parties are not to be believed on the bill.
Mr Carthy told the Tánaiste that he “more so than anybody else” had the power to progress the legislation as he was Taoiseach previously and is now Foreign Affairs Minister.
“You have refused point blank to pass this bill in Government,” said Mr Carthy.
Mr Carthy said Mr Martin accusing other politicians of trying to pass the laws for political gains is “cynical in the extreme”.
The Tánaiste said he doesn’t take “lectures” from Sinn Féin on Fianna Fáil’s commitment to the Palestinian people.
The committee heard Minister Martin say the Bill still needs amendments so that it can face down court challenges, if they are to arise.
“I cannot ram a bill through, that’s unconstitutional,” he told TDs.
“It can be done and we are satisfied we are going to do it but it’s not something that’s going to be done in a short period of time.
“This is not a slam dunk.
“The whole middle eastern issue seems to be used sort of a political wedge issue in Ireland against the Government.”
He said Arab countries in the Middle East believe Ireland is “number one” in their Palestinian response.
“We’ve got to strengthen the Bill,” he said.
He said multinational companies become embroiled in the debate.
“Passing this bill will not end the war,” said Minister Martin, who called for “perspective” on the issue.
