Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett has said the Opposition is entitled to question his decision last week to stop debate on a proposed inquiry into some incidents involving gardaí in the Cavan-Monaghan area.
In a statement this afternoon, Mr Barrett said: "In relation to my interview with RTÉ on Friday last, perhaps in the heat of the moment during that interview, I may have given the impression that the Opposition were not entitled to question my decision as to why a debate was not allowed.
"Of course, I accept that they are entitled to question my decision.
"However, I will state that I made the decision after careful consideration in the best interest of the Oireachtas and the taxpayer."
The statement - while conciliatory in tone - did not address the central objection to his remarks from Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, and his charge that the parties were trying to undermine his position.
Fianna Fáil chief whip Seán Ó Fearghaíl said the statement from Mr Barrett did not go far enough.
He said was was needed was a clear and unambiguous withdrawal of the claim that his party had sought to undermine the Ceann Comhairle.
Mr Barret's statement wasn't specific enough and Fianna Fáil would now have to consider a vote of no confidence at its weekly meeting, Mr Ó Fearghaíl added.
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said he believed there would be unanimous support from independents if a motion of no confidence was put down.
He told the News At One that he welcomed the statement from the Ceann Comhairle but that a full and satisfactory explanation of the decision was still needed.
He added that anything that led to the closing down of political debate in the Dáil was a problem.
Mr Boyd Barrett said the controversy also raised the question about whether the Ceann Comhairle should be independent of political parties.
Earlier, Mr Ó Fearghaíl said his party fundamentally disagreed with Mr Barrett's decision as it had shut down debate in an unprecedented way.
He said all previous terms of reference had been debated.
Mr Ó Fearghaíl also said a claim by Mr Barrett that Fianna Fáil was trying to undermine him in the Dáil was "without foundation, completely false" and "totally erroneous".
The Fianna Fáil whip said the comments made by Mr Barrett made it very difficult to express confidence in him.
The Minister for the Enviornment, Alan Kelly, said this afternoon he supported Mr Barrett.
He said Mr Barrett had a "very difficult job" and he had to make a "very difficult decision".
However, he said in the future, if standing orders needed to changed, then it should be done.
"We need to ensure that at all times, the parliament of the land, which is elected democratically by the people, can talk and discuss any issue that it feels necessary," he added.
Meanwhile, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said Mr Barrett had been fair and unbiased in his role, adding that he hoped the situation can be resolved.
He said the Ceann Comhairle took legal advice from his officials and he was advised the best course of action was to proceed on the Guerin-advised inquiry and its terms of reference without a Dáil debate, and he was fully entitled to do that in accordance with the independence of his office.
Decision 'strange and troubling'
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said she personally did not have confidence in the Ceann Comhairle.
However, she said her party had not made a decision on whether to support any Fianna Fáil motion of no confidence in Mr Barrett.
She said his decision not to allow a debate on the terms of reference for the Cavan/Monaghan garda division inquiry was "strange and troubling".
Ms McDonald added that to deny parliamentarians the opportunity to debate, scrutinise and amend the terms was the worst possible start.
But she said she regretted any suggestions by Mr Barrett that the Opposition was out to undermine him.
She said that despite the Government's majority, his role meant that he had to enjoy the confidence of the Opposition.
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