Fianna Fáil backbenchers are pressing for Ms Beverley Cooper-Flynn to resign or be expelled from the parliamentary party, according to a report in today's Irish Times.
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Ms Beverley Cooper-Flynn
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The push comes after the award of all costs against her in her failed libel action against RTÉ and retired farmer Mr James Howard.
While many of her colleagues were reluctant to openly call for her resignation, most asked by The Irish Timessaid they felt she should or would go. None suggested her position as a party deputy was tenable.
Until the Mayo TD decides on an appeal, the party leader, Mr Bertie Ahern's position is that she must be allowed to continue the legal process.
However, Dublin South West TD Mr Conor Lenihan said if the finding that she encouraged or advised people not to pay taxes was not reversed, it raised issues which "have to be dealt with by the party leader".
Dublin North West TD Mr Pat Carey said he believed she would resign from the parliamentary party before any action was taken by Fianna Fáil.
"I think she will probably see the writing on the wall and move aside altogether."
Mr Michael Ahern of Cork East implied he believed her career in Fianna Fáil was over and that she was in "a no-win situation".