Representatives from all political parties are to meet this evening to consider the introduction of a code of conduct governing reference letters written by TDs and senators.
The meeting of party whips will take place this evening, chaired by Government chief whip Tom Kitt.
It follows controversy surrounding a reference letter written by Labour TD Kathleen Lynch on behalf of the parents of a rapist who was sentenced to 13 years in prison last Friday.
The move comes following comments from the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, on Monday. He floated the idea of a code of conduct for TDs and senators, and added that he felt that politicians should not become involved in the judicial process.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore supported the call, saying he would he would be well disposed to such a move.
A Fine Gael spokesman said all the party TDs had been appraised of the need to exercise care for over a year. The party whip, Paul Kehoe, yesterday said he would also be broadly in favour of guidelines or a code of conduct.