Mr Jim Mitchell (FG, Dublin Central) claimed political pressure had been applied by members of the Government on the Garda to arrest an innocent person before the Presidential election.

Mr Mitchell asked the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, if he was prepared to give time for a debate on the leaking of official documents before the Presidential election, "and the disquieting arrest of a totally innocent person two days before that election against whom no charges have been brought and no evidence produced."

Mr Mitchell added: "There was political pressure from members of this Government on the Garda," he added. Amid heated exchanges, the Ceann Comhairle, Mr Seamus Pattison, said the matter was not appropriate to the Order of Business.