The Government is to bring emergency legislation before the Dáil today to correct a problem with the operation of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB).
The board, which referees landlord-tenant disputes, was at the centre of a controversy last year when it emerged that two of its members were ineligible to hear cases.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley had appointed two councillors to the board last June.
But he was later forced to rescind the appointments after it was brought to his attention in September that the 2004 Act establishing the board precluded members of local authorities from board membership.
The current problem is also thought to concern the eligibility of certain members. Mr Gormley is due to make a statement on the matter later today.
Opposition parties were only briefed on the issue last night.