The Tánaiste has accused Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald of engaging in a “tsunami of hate and invective’’ in heated Dáil exchanges.

Earlier, Ms McDonald said Joan Burton’s political criticism of Sinn Féin was a typical diversion on her part. She asked why there were 250 children with scoliosis waiting to see a consultant or to have surgery.

Ms McDonald told the Dáil on Thursday many children had been waiting for fifteen months already and they deserved a direct response from the Tánaiste.

“I think they deserve better than a political attack,’’ she added.

Ms McDonald said scoliosis was an excruciating condition.

“I am sure you have heard the testimony of parents who say they look on as their children cry in pain,’’ she added. “And they wait, and they wait, and they wait.’’

Ms Burton asked: “Have you finished your tsunami of hate and invective there? Are you sure you finished it? Do you want to rant a bit more?’’

She said the “hate and invective’’ ill-became Ms McDonald.

The Tánaiste said the scoliosis unit in Crumlin's Children Hospital was recognised on a worldwide basis as was the work undertaken by consultants.

She accused Ms McDonald of making “cheap comments’’ about the hospital and the care and attention given to the children with a “deeply difficult’’ condition.

Ms Burton said as a result of an initiative underway 100 extra scoliosis operations were carried out this year. “That was a fifty-one per cent increase on the previous year,’’ she added.