Former Irish Nationwide chief executive Michael Fingleton has reportedly written to the Ceann Comhairle seeking an apology over remarks made about him in the Dáil in October.
In comments made under Dáil privilege by Fine Gael Chief Whip Paul Kehoe during a debate on the National Asset Management Agency bill on 13 October, Mr Fingleton and former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean Fitzpatrick were referred to as 'two of the biggest gangsters ever involved in banking institutions'.
According to a report in today's edition of the Irish Independent, the former Irish Nationwide chief executive has written to Ceann Comhairle Séamus Kirk over what he says were "outrageous, reckless, misinformed and extremely defamatory allegations".
The report says Mr Fingleton's letter was circulated to members of the Dáil's Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
It quotes Mr Fingleton as saying: "The allegations suggest that I have engaged in criminal activities, which is the most serious charge and accusation that can be made about any citizen, and to be able to do it maliciously and openly under privilege without any opportunity of defending oneself is totally irresponsible".
Mr Fingleton resigned from his post after it emerged he had been paid a €1 million bonus just weeks after the Government introduced its €440 billion guarantee scheme to protect the banking sector.