Seanad leader Mary O'Rourke has refused to elaborate on her claim that the leak surrounding Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's finances did not come from the Opposition parties or the Mahon tribunal.
A local radio broadcaster cut short his interview with Ms O'Rourke after she declined to answer questions on the matter.
Listeners to Midlands Today on Midlands 103 heard Ms O'Rourke tell broadcaster Will Faulkner that "you can ask me until the cows come home, I shan't be pointing the finger at any one person".
Mrs O'Rourke had told the Seanad on Wednesday that she believed the leaking of documents in the possession of the Mahon tribunal was not the work of the Opposition parties or the tribunal.
"I think we have to look nearer to home on this matter."
On Midlands 103, she was asked if she meant Fianna Fáil or PD sources were responsible and replied: "Oh, I haven't a notion of pointing the finger at any particular person. It's just my information, and my instincts, on various other matters. Yes, I think the tribunal has been unfairly targeted, or the Opposition parties. It's my opinion that the matter is nearer home."
The interview continued as follows:
Faulkner: "For a motive, the Opposition parties would appear to have an obvious motive in damaging the Government. Why would anybody within want to damage Bertie Ahern?"
Ms O'Rourke: "Well, I don't know really. If this is the subject of the interview, I have no more to say, Will, because it would be wrong of me."
Faulkner: "It's a logical question, Mary, in all fairness. If you're implying that it's coming from within, I need to ask what motive you..."
Ms O'Rourke: "I said nearer home. Listen, you can talk to me and ask me until the cows come home, I shan't be pointing the finger at any one person."
Faulkner: "Okay, we will call the interview to a halt there."
Ms O'Rourke: "Thank you, bye." (Hangs up.)