SINN Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald stormed out of the Dáil after the Taoiseach accused her party of “shouting down” those who don’t share their views.
Leo Varadkar also accused Sinn Féin of a “lack of respect” and making “smart alec remarks” in front of a packed Leinster House.
He told Deputy Leader Ms McDonald she was being “cranky” and said the “only time you’re not scripted is when you’re interrupting.”
Ms McDonald then left her seat and continued to address the Taoiseach while standing directly in front of him.
She could be heard saying that she would "write to him" before being asked to leave the chamber.
Her comments came after the Taoiseach reacted to her interrupting him mid-sentence at Leader’s Questions.
Mr Varadkar said: "This is the constant pattern of debate we have in this parliament. The only time you're not scripted is when you're interrupting.
Leo Varadkar accused Sinn Féin of shouting down those who disagree with them (Picture: Oireachtas TV)"Is it any small wonder that the people of Northern Ireland don't have a first or deputy first minister?
"Is it any small wonder they don't have an Executive, because this is the attitude of Sinn Féin, constantly hectoring, smart alec remarks, lack of temperance, lack of respect for other people, inability to listen to them, and inability to listen to compromise?" he asked.
"It should be of no wonder whatsoever that the people of Northern Ireland have no voice, because this is the style of politics favoured by Sinn Féin, to shout people down who don't share their views.”
The exchange continued after the Irish PM had finished answering questions in the chamber.
"You're very cranky today," he said to Ms McDonald.
The row was the second day in a row that the pair had exchanged frank remarks with one another.
On Tuesday, the Taoiseach compared the Dublin-born TD to French far-right leader Marine Le Pen in a heated dispute over the budget.
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