The Green Party has backed a call from a backbench Fianna Fáil TD for a full inquiry into the funding of Punchestown Agricultural and Equestrian Event Centre.
Mr Dan Boyle, Green party TD and member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), said that, while the PAC was still examining the funding, "it has become clear that new information, that has come to light since the most recent meeting of the PAC, warrants a full investigation".
He also said that some of the issues emerging may necessitate a wider inquiry that goes beyond the current remit of the PAC.
These issues include complicated company structures and disputes over leasing agreements and tax issues.
Members of the committee are due to visit Punchestown this week to speak with management of the racecourse and to examine the controversial event centre.
It follows a committee hearing earlier this month, during which the Comptroller and Auditor General criticised the fact that the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, and the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, approved 100 per cent grant aid for the centre without an independent evaluation of the project being carried out.
Since then, it has emerged that just over a third of the use of the agricultural and equestrian event centre is accounted for by events of an agricultural or equestrian nature.
The indoor arena is also unsuitable to hold major international showjumping competitions, although its operators have said it was never designed for such events.
Mr Boyle made his comments following a call for an inquiry by Mr Ned O'Keeffe, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North East and former Minister of State for Agriculture.