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"It's one that does require concerted effort," he said, telling O'Toole that he and his team were engaged in trying to provide that support.

The SDLP's Matthew O'Toole said he would refer Lyons to the standards commissioner over his comments, saying "lives are at stake".

"I enjoined the defendants from taking any action to implement the so-called 'Fork Directive' pending the completion of briefing and oral argument on the issues," said O'Toole in a hearing on Thursday.

The leader of the official opposition at Stormont, Matthew O'Toole, described the use of the brake as "a stunt".

Ulster's O'Toole received a six-game ban following his red card against Munster which would have ruled him out of Ireland's first two matches.