FIANNA Fail has slammed Fine Gael for blocking moves to enshrine the national anthem in law.
The party said Fine Gael senators have teamed up with Independent Padraig O Ceidigh to stop a recommendation in a Seanad report to commit to protect Amhran na bhFiann with legislation.
Fianna Fail said the anthem has never been formally adopted.
It added a majority in Seanad Eireann was in favour of the move.
Fianna Fail senator Mark Daly said: “The fact it fell out of copyright protection in 2013 makes this all the more important.
“Fianna Fail will continue its campaign to have Amhran na bhFiann put on a statutory footing.”