“This outrageous discrimination has to stop,” a spokesman said.

“The poor have a right to pay tax,” the spokesman added. “From this day on not having an income will no longer be a barrier to paying income tax.”

The Tanaiste said the fact that the Labour Party was in government meant that the poor would no longer be excluded because of their poverty.

“The poor will always be with us,” he said proudly.

A high level committee of civil servants looked at the options of reforming the Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment or the minister but it soon became clear that there was only one viable option.

“Where would you even begin with Sweary Mary?” a committee member said. “Reforming an unwieldy, bureacratic, government department is much more achievable.”

“Politics is the art of compromise,” he added. “If we can make the department function in a reasonable fashion we’re prepared to take a hit on the minister.”

“The Taoiseach has been very clear on this,” a source said. “He doesn’t want us to do or say anything that will remind our hosts of child rapists in the church or grade inflation in the education system.”

“We want to attract people not repulse them,” the source said.

It is understood that ministers have been told to use the phrase “lovely hurling” if they are stuck for something to say.

Tanaiste and Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment Mary Coughlan has been given special dispensation by the Taoiseach to say “lovely fucken hurling”.

Many citizens were surprised to see Taoiseach Brian Cowen and all of his Government ministers protesting against his government but Mr Cowen said it was vital that the public realised “that we are as angry and disillusioned as they are going forward”.

Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan said he couldn’t stand idly by while the economy and the public finances were in such an appalling state. “It is my duty to protest,” he said.

Tanaiste and Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment Mary Coughlan was typically forthright in her criticism of herself and her colleagues. “No one gives a fuck,” she said. “Look at my job title. It’s meaningless. There is no trade, enterprise or employment. What sort of fucken eejit do they take me for?”

Previously Mr Cowen expressed full confidence in former Fas director general Rody Molloy who kindly agreed to stop presiding over a waste of public money by accepting a €1 million “golden handshake to resign.

Mr Cowen has also in the past expressed confidence in the financial services regulator, the banking system and the passing of the first Lisbon referendum.

It is understood that Ms Coughlan was too upset to comment about the Taoiseach having full confidence in her. “She is heartbroken,” a source said. “Completely devastated.”

Coprolalia, which is sometimes a symptom of Tourette’s syndrome, is involuntary swearing or the utterance of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks. “Many of Ms Coughlan’s recent statements could possibly be as a result of this condition,” the expert said.

In recent days Calamity Coughlan, as she has become known, has credited Einstein with the theory of evolution, dismissed the Bord Snip report and generated speculation about an imminent election. Unconfirmed reports also suggest that she has called everyone within earshot a “fucker”.

Coprolalia is usually evident when someone swears out of social or emotional context. If Ms Coughlan has offended you it is possible that, at least some of the time, she didn’t actually mean to do so as the phrases uttered by a person with coprolalia do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of the person.

“It would be possible for Ms Coughlan to be treated by injecting botox near the vocal chords. This won’t prevent the outbursts but the partial paralysis that results would mean she won’t be as loud,” the expert said.