On the streets around New Ross the news of the latest instalment in the Dáil row reverberated, after several Opposition party leaders told Verona Murphy that her position as Ceann Comhairle was untenable.
Ms Murphy was first elected to the Dáil in the Wexford constituency in 2020 and topped the poll in last year's election. Her constituency office is located in the middle of the town.
Locals were keen to have their say on the controversy and support for the Ceann Comhairle, perhaps not unsurprisingly, was not hard to come by.
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Noreen Kinsella, a local business owner, supports Ms Murphy.
"I think she's a fantastic woman for what she’s done. I also believe that if a crowd of primary school children behaved like everyone in the Dáil, then everyone of them would have been expelled."
She does not think that Verona Murphy should step down from her role as Ceann Comhairle.
"She was put in a very difficult position. She had people roaring and shouting at her from every angle," Ms Kinsella says.
Another shop owner close by, also says that Ms Murphy should stay in her position.
"I don’t think she should resign ... I don't think men like being controlled by a woman."
Mark Comerford agrees and says Ms Murphy should stay on as Ceann Comhairle.
"I know her and she seems like a fairly balanced person. So yeah, I think she should stay on."
But there is criticism of Verona Murphy as Ceann Comhairle in New Ross.
"Disgraceful, totally uncivilised," is Marian Donoghue's assessment.
"I always go back to our history and how hard we worked to become independent and that's how the people who govern us behave?
"I mean a young fella on the street would get jail time for that," she says.
"I don't think it should have ever got to that stage. So, if she's not doing her job, she shouldn't be doing it. I think she should step down, because I don't think it should have got to that stage."
Jimmy Hamilton agrees, saying that the Ceann Comhairle has lost control.
"She has no control whatsoever ... She stood up and people were only laughing at her.
"I think she should step down without a doubt. Every man can see what happened. Completely no control, lost control," he says.
Close political colleagues say that they do not think Verona Murphy will step aside.
Pat Barden, an independent councillor based in New Ross, is part of the Wexford Independent Alliance which was set up by her.
"I think she's faced adversity all her life. She's a seasoned campaigner even though she's not that long in politics. She won't be bullied or frightened by anyone," he says.
"They could call for her head, and for her to consider her position, she won't be considering anything like that. Resignation won't be to the forefront of her mind," he says.
As well as giving opinions on whether Ms Murphy should step aside, there is also a clear message from New Ross to the politicians in Leinster House.
"Ah sure look it, they're like children playing instead of getting on with their work," says Mary O'Sullivan.
"There's more important things that giving them a few minutes speaking time.
"That's not really going to cripple anyone … They really need to just sit down, act like adults and get on with managing the country," she says.
"I'm not sure what (the row) is really all about," says Sandra Vieira.
"I tune out because what’s the point of listening to them. (They need to) stop their fighting over something that's probably nonsense and get on with fixing the things that are wrong.
"Nobody's interested in petty spats up there. Fix the country, fix the housing and everything else," she says.
