Solidarity-PBP TD Paul Murphy has accused Taoiseach Micheál Martin of an "authoritarian manoeuvre", concerning the dispute over speaking rights in the Dáil.
The row centres on speaking rights for four Independent TDs who support the Government, including Tipperary North TD Michael Lowry.
In the Dáil, Mr Murphy said the Taoiseach is intent on cutting Opposition speaking time.
Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty accused the Taoiseach of going back on his word to resolve the issue regarding the "Michael Lowry group of TDs".
"The dogs in the street know. Michael Lowry is a Government TD," he said, and appealed for a common sense solution.
Labour's Duncan Smith said he is "upset" that a request that Mr Martin explain the Government's actions was rejected, something he had just become aware of.
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said the deal with Independent TD Tony Gregory in 1982 had been published, taking issue with a comparison Mr Martin made to that deal on The Late Late Show last week.
He criticised the "shoddy little deals" with Mr Lowry, and urged Mr Martin to "step back from the precipice" as we are heading into "uncharted waters".
The Taoiseach responded by saying that Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty was enjoying the ongoing argument and is trying to keep it going whatever it takes.
He accused the Opposition of "play-acting", sending him lots of letters demanding a meeting and then going out to do interviews.
He agreed with Deputy Gannon's assertion that we are in "uncharted waters" but said this relates to global instability and increasing international threats.
Opposition demand answers from Taoiseach
Earlier, five opposition parties demanded that Mr Martin answer a question in the Dáil on the ongoing speaking rights controversy.
The group tabled a priority notice question to the Ceann Comhairle seeking to have Mr Martin answer why the Government is proceeding with changing standing orders.
Labour leader Ivana Bacik said her party was happy to abide by the status quo given that the Ceann Comhairle had already ruled that the four TDs could not form a technical group.
She also said the Government was delaying the formation of committees through the process.
She added that they have not yet seen the text of the proposed changes even though the amendments were passed at the Dáil Reform Committee last week.
It is expected that the changes will be put to a Dáil vote in two weeks.
