Fine Gael parliamentary party chairman Richard Bruton has hit out at the “hysterical” and “attack dog” Dáil debates which he says are being instigated by Opposition TDs.

The former minister insisted the Government was correct to give more Dáil speaking time to coalition TDs who struggled to secure debating slots during the last administration.“There is a relentless attack on people in government over a long period and the currency has got more and more hysterical,”

Mr Bruton told Independent.ie’s Floating Voter podcast.“It's more attack dog than teasing out and asking should we be doing things in a different way.“That relentless diatribe in the Dáil isn't good for the sort of politics I believe in which is evidence based policy making and exchanging genuine views,” he added.

Mr Bruton’s comments followed a fiery Dáil debate over speaking time during which Tánaiste Leo Varadkar accused the Opposition of bullying and said he was embarrassed to be a member of the parliament. 

Mr Bruton said the change in the speaking schedule will mean backbench government TDs will have more opportunities to speak on legislation which was not afforded to them in the last Dáil.“It still leaves the opposition with the vast majority of the time, it doesn't restrict the amount of time the different parties get but it gives a chance for 69 of us (government backbenchers), and I am one them, to speak about the controversial issues of the day,” he said.

Separately, Mr Bruton, who just completed a review of the Fine Gael’s 2020 General Election campaign, said the party’s “core weakness” is their failure to connect with sections of the public while in government.

He said he will be holding minister’s “feet to the fire” to ensure they introduce genuine changes which will show how effective Fine Gael can be in government.“As a party I don't think we have been effective at either promoting what we've done or in connecting with people to show them what we are doing is solving problems that people experience,” he said.“I will be expecting metrics from our ministers and from the organisation so we can genuinely look and see if we are changing or are we still remaining the same.“Unless there is that prodding, someone holding people's feet to the fire as they say….that has to be a part of the change and I will be determined that toes will be held to the fire,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Burton said the reaction to his topless appearance in a Fine Gael promotional video for North Dublin tourism was “mortifying”.“I didn't dream that it would go viral. Some very funny follow up tweets were put up which are mortifying. I was delighted with the recess last night and delighted to wear a mask so I could slink around the corridors of the convention centre and not be noticed,” he said.     The former education minister said he did not feel objectified by the commentary about his toned physique.“It's not something I'm used to that sort of attention. It was all a bit of fun. I wouldn't take it seriously and it doesn’t upset me in anyway. The family think it's fantastic,” he said.