Mr Pat Rabbitte (Labour, Dublin South West) was ruled out of order when he raised developments at the Flood tribunal.

Mr Rabbitte said: "Can I ask the Taoiseach if he will say that Mr Justice Flood has the full confidence of this House?"

When the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, said the matter was not appropriate to the Order of Business, Mr Rabbitte said there was a manifest attempt to collapse the tribunal.

It was clear somebody was trying to undermine it, he added.

Dr O'Hanlon said that there were procedures in the House, and the Chair was obliged to implement standing orders.