Taoiseach Bertie Ahern last week reprimanded Government TDs over their low attendance in the Dáil when he is answering questions.
Despite this, the Government benches were sparsely populated yesterday afternoon as he answered questions.
Last week Fianna Fáil TDs received a letter from the office of the Government Chief Whip, Tom Kitt, saying Mr Ahern had asked Mr Kitt to write to all TDs "concerning the importance of attendance in the Dáil chamber at Leaders' questions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and also at the commencement of business each day on which the Dáil is sitting".
"It is essential that a large number of TDs are present at these times," the letter said. "Both the Taoiseach and Chief Whip have noticed that this has not been the case on a number of occasions recently." TDs were told: "Ensure that you are in attendance in the chamber and in the event of being absent that you have applied for and been granted a pair in advance."
The pairing system between parties operates where Government and Opposition TDs compensate for each other's absences during normal business.
The letter is believed to have been sparked in part by good attendances by Opposition TDs during these times.
Yesterday there were less than 20 Government TDs, less than half of whom were backbenchers, in the Dáil. Party figures attributed this to attendances at various Oireachtas committees yesterday afternoon. Some TDs were privately attributing it to factors outside Leinster House.
"Punchestown is on," said one TD as an explanation. "There are no votes in Dublin on a Tuesday afternoon," said another.