Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's charges against three former Aer Lingus executives are set to result in a formal complaint to the Dáil's rules body unless they are withdrawn.
The demand for a full apology to the three former executives - Willie Walsh, Séamus Kearney and Brian Dunne - was led by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who said the remarks were "defamatory and a gross abuse of privilege".
In the Dáil on Wednesday, Mr Ahern said the airline's former management had "wanted to steal the assets for themselves through a management buy-out, shafting staff interests. I am glad those individuals went on to prove their worth in the financial marketplace, but at least they did not do it by taking the assets away from Aer Lingus."
Last night, the Fine Gael leader said the charges must be withdrawn because two of the executives were still involved in the aviation business, while all three were still involved in business.
Mr Walsh has since become the chief executive of British Airways, Mr Kearney is now Jacob Fruitfield's chief operating officer and Mr Dunne is a senior executive with an Air Canada subsidiary.
The Fine Gael leader intends to demand a full withdrawal of the remarks next week in the Dáil, or else he will raise the matter formally with the Dáil's Committee on Procedures and Privileges.
Speaking in Waterford last night, Mr Kenny said Mr Ahern's "perverse attack" on Mr Walsh could be compared with "his fawning and facilitating attitude to Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams".
In the Dáil yesterday, Tánaiste Mary Harney, when asked if she shared Mr Ahern's view, said: "It is not a perspective I share. The Taoiseach may have intended to use the word 'strip' instead of 'steal'."
However, she rejected Labour leader Mr Rabbitte's contention that she "thinks it acceptable to strip the assets of a State company and the Taoiseach thinks it acceptable to steal them".
Under Oireachtas rules, members must not " comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official, either by name or in such way as to make him identifiable, as he is defenceless against accusations made under privilege in the House".
So far, no complaints have been made to the Dáil's Committee on Procedure and Privileges, which is chaired by the Ceann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, about the Taoiseach's remarks.
Under the House's rules, politicians enjoy the freedom to re-enter the chamber to withdraw or clarify remarks.