Mr David Norris (Independent) withdrew his description of the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, as "a confirmed liar" at the request of the Cathaoirleach, Mr Rory Kiely.
Commenting on the Hutton report, Mr Norris said it had not come as a surprise to many people that the BBC had been "Widgery-ied" by Lord Hutton.
"I understand that he was in some way associated - at least it said so on the wireless this morning - with that tainted process. I have to say I am astonished that when a list of 25 names is provided and then correspondents are told to guess which one it is, and when they hit gold at number 25 and it is confirmed, what has happened to the policy of neither confirming nor denying in security matters?
"Yes, Mr Kelly was outed by the government and yes, although he said he had nothing to do with it, Mr Blair chaired the meeting at which the decision was taken and that makes him a confirmed liar in my opinion."
Inviting Mr Norris to amend what he had said about Mr Blair, the Cathaoirleach said it was unfair to make such a statement about the prime minister of a neighbouring country.
Mr Norris responded: "Well, if I have, for the record, to find some more emollient phrase to cover his deceit, I will certainly attempt to do so, but it will take me a little while. In the meantime, I withdraw the specific word."
Mr Paschal Mooney (FF) said that Mr Norris deserved support for his earlier impassioned plea for moves to bring peace to the Middle East, but it had been somewhat polluted by his subsequent sad comments about a friendly prime minister of a neighbouring country.