Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On a point of order and as the Cathaoirleach rightly stated, we amended Standing Orders to cover the perception of bias. Those Standing Orders do not, however, cover the Leader of the House making an off-the-cuff allegation about one Member. In fact, I am of the view that the Leader has poisoned the banking inquiry in the context of the defamatory allegation he made. It is the responsibility of the Cathaoirleach to protect both the House and the Member involved by obliging the Leader to withdraw that allegation.