Minister of State for Justice Frank Fahey has embarrassed Fianna Fáil colleagues by making a failed attempt to have Green Party leader Trevor Sargent disciplined for making allegations about him during Dáil exchanges.
Fianna Fáil TDs were annoyed that Mr Fahey's action has only served to fuel the controversy over his property holdings while giving more publicity to the original claims made by the Greens' leader.
Mr Fahey wrote to the Dáil Committee on Procedure and Privileges (CPP) complaining that Mr Sargent had abused Dáil privilege by calling him a "dodgy builder" and seeking to force the Green Party leader to withdraw his claims.
Two weeks ago, Mr Sargent accused Mr Fahey of "being able to avoid tax in building up a multi-million euro property empire" and of "failing to declare interests in a Moscow hairdressing business".
He also maintained that Mr Fahey had "given 75 per cent of total State compensation for fisheries vessels lost at sea to two constituents" and of "giving half of Ireland's mackerel quota to just one boat, the Atlantic Dawn". Mr Sargent asked the Taoiseach to sack Mr Fahey in the light of these controversies.
In a letter to the CPP, Mr Fahey wrote: "This is a personal attack on my good character and good name and is most unacceptable and unchristian." Mr Sargent responded in writing to the CPP arguing that the claims he made in the Dáil were based on information already in the public domain and that he was entitled to make a political charge on the basis of that information.
When the issue was brought before the committee on Tuesday there was a wide-ranging discussion on the contents of Mr Fahey's letter and on the original remarks made by Mr Sargent in the Dáil during leader's questions.
The Green Party member of the CPP, Dan Boyle, argued strongly against any action being taken against his party leader. He pointed out that his Green Party colleague, Ciarán Cuffe, had been called "dodgy" during a controversy over his share portfolio two years ago. Mr Boyle said that Mr Cuffe had not gone to the CPP complaining about the remark or looking for any action to be taken as a result of it.
When the issue was put to a vote all seven Fianna Fáil members of the CPP supported Mr Fahey but the Fine Gael and Labour TDs present supported the Green Party position.
The vote was carried seven to three but as a 75 per cent majority was required, the attempt to force Mr Sargent to withdraw the remark failed.
"It was a foolish decision by Frank to bring the issue to the CPP as he was bound to fail, given the majority required. He has only made things worse for himself and embarrassed the party unnecessarily," said one Fianna Fáil TD.