A political showdown between the Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, and his defence spokesman, Mr Michael Bell, is being predicted by senior party sources following the Louth TD's decision to proceed with a compensation claim for deafness.
A brief but tense exchange between the two men yesterday ended inconclusively and they are expected to discuss the issue again, probably today.
According to sources, the Labour leadership is deeply embarrassed and annoyed at Mr Bell's persistence in seeking compensation from the Department of Defence for deafness allegedly caused by inadequate ear protection during his time with the FCA.
It is understood that Mr Quinn feels that his role as defence spokesman is compromised by his decision to pursue damages for deafness.
Mr Bell insisted yesterday that he will continue with his claim, saying: "I did nothing morally wrong or illegal . . . I did not compromise myself in any way."
A Labour spokesman last night refused to comment on the meeting between Mr Quinn and Mr Bell, describing it only as a "brief initial conversation".
Earlier in the day Mr Quinn indicated that while everyone was entitled to pursue a legal case, difficulties could arise if the person was a public representative.
In addition to being Labour's defence spokesman, Mr Bell is a member of the Dail Public Accounts Committee and in November told a meeting of that body that the Government was negligent. He also indicated that he was considering taking a claim.
Mr Bell said yesterday he could see "no problem at all" with his decision to pursue a claim and his position as a member of the PAC, which discusses compensation claims of members of the Defence Forces. His was a voice representing many people, and he did not agree with "the very strong statement" made by the chairman of the PAC, Mr Jim Mitchell, criticising the flood of law suits for damages.
"I outlined to the committee the problems that members of the Defence Forces had because of the lack of protection provided for their ears. I, as an officer, was ordered to take off protection," he said.
He had taken part in all-Army rifle shoots, and his hearing had been "endangered" because he was not permitted to wear protective gear, he said. As an officer, he had responded to the health and safety needs of his men by procuring ear muffs normally used by workers involved in blasting quarries.
"They were not allowed to wear them", he said.