The Taoiseach has described footage filmed as part of an RTÉ Investigates report on dairy expansion in Ireland as "repugnant."

Leo Varadkar said there would be "robust and timely" action against people found to have breached regulations shown in the RTÉ Investigates programme, 'Milking It; Dairy's Dirty Secret'.

It revealed apparent breaches of animal welfare at several livestock marts in Ireland.

In some footage mart workers could be seen repeatedly kicking young calves. Animals were also thrown from trailers on delivery into marts by both staff and farmers.

Read more: 61 hours: The journey endured by thousands of Irish bull calves

Leo Varadkar confirmed a Department of Agriculture investigation into what the programme had revealed was underway. He said that the reputation of the sector relied on compliance with the regulations in place.

The Taoiseach made the statement in response to the Social Democrats' Holly Cairns during Leaders’ questions in the Dáil.

Deputy Cairns said the RTÉ Investigation had revealed "cruel and inexcusable" behaviour which she said was as a direct result of Government policy on diary expansion.

She said the mantra from the Government when milk quotas were lifted had been "no limits".

Deputy Cairns said that some bull calves had become "valueless and disposable" due to that policy, adding "the scandal" risked destroying the reputation of agriculture in Ireland.

Concerns about the treatment of dairy were also raised during the Order of Business in the Dáil.

Both Labour and People Before Profit proposed that the Dáil debate the issues before the house goes into recess later this week.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said "we cannot close our eyes" to the "shocking revelations" about what animals were subjected to.

Deputy Murphy said to characterise the issue as a few bad apples was not accurate and, adding the Government should not wash it hands of the issue.

The leader of the Labour Party, Ivana Bacik, supported the call for a debate this week and described abuses exposed by RTÉ Investigates as "systemic."s

Earlier, the Minister for Agriculture condemned the abuse of animals exposed by the programme. Charlie McConalogue said the issues raised will be "vigorously pursued" by a Department of Agriculture investigation.

"What we saw was utterly unacceptable and in some instances illegal," he added.

Watch Milking It: Dairy's Dirty Secret from RTÉ Investigates on RTÉ Player here.