Progressive Democrat TD Mae Sexton has criticised party officials for attempting to recruit new candidates for her Longford-Westmeath constituency without consulting her.
Ms Sexton, who raised the issue with new party leader Michael McDowell, said she believed the move had "substantially damaged the image of the party".
During the summer PD officials approached potential candidates in Co Westmeath to consider running for the party. They included sitting Fianna Fáil councillor Kevin Boxer Moran, who lost out on a Fianna Fáil nomination in January. He rejected the approach.
In an interview with Independent Network News, broadcast on Shannonside radio, Ms Sexton said the "bottom line" was that candidates should be consulted about strategy in their own constituencies.
"I don't believe that was done, certainly in my constituency, certainly in relation to whether somebody should either run instead of me or by my side, and I think it damaged the image of the Progressive Democrats.
"It would appear that a number of different people appear to have been contacted to ask if they were interested in running. And all of them appear to have turned that offer down."
Ms Sexton said she recently sought assurances from Mr McDowell, and would be discussing matters with her supporters. "I have also been given a number of different options that were put to me in relation to the organisation in the constituency, particularly in the Westmeath end of the constituency where a substantial amount of work has to be done to garner votes for the Progressive Democrat candidate."