FIANNA Fail is attempting to get the Minister for Social Welfare to make a personal statement to the Dail next week, apologising for his statement on the appointment of five advisers to his private office.

If Mr De Rossa refuses, the party will press ahead with a motion of censure.

The Fianna Fail Chief Whip, Mr Dermot Ahern, said last night that he and the Progressive Democrats had asked the Government to "co operate" so the Minister might make a 10 minute statement to the House during Fianna Fail Private Members' time.

It is intended that the party's agriculture spokesman, Mr Joe Walsh, and the PD finance spokesman, Mr Michael McDowell, will also make 10 minute statements.

But after weeks of controversy the Minister has declared the matter closed. He has written to the Ceann Comhairle, Mr Sean Treacy, apologising to members of the House who felt misled by his statement.

In a further twist, Mr Ahern said the Minister confirmed to him in writing yesterday that the five employees would have access to some memorandums and proposals to Government. Describing the situation as "ludicrous", Mr Ahern said it threw the concept of Cabinet confidentiality out the window.