Fine Gael has demanded clarification from the Taoiseach on the Government's relationship with Liam Lawlor. This follows the Supreme Court decision that the Dublin West deputy must go to jail again.
And Labour TD Mr Brendan Howlin said there should be an enforceable code of conduct for members of the House.
He added that when members fell below its standards, as Mr Lawlor had done in this instance, the code should be backed by sanctions,
Fine Gael's justice spokesman, Mr Alan Shatter TD, last night called on the Taoiseach to "require the Ethics Committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas to consider the behaviour of Liam Lawlor and the imposition of appropriate parliamentary sanction on him".
He said it was not appropriate for the Taoiseach to remain silent after the Supreme Court had confirmed that Mr Lawlor was in contempt of orders made by the Flood tribunal. Mr Lawlor, formerly a Fianna Fβil deputy, resigned from the party some time ago.
He chose to resign when it became clear that he would have been expelled from the parliamentary party for not co-operating fully with an internal party inquiry.
Mr Lawlor could not be contacted last night.