Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae has rejected claims that he is deliberately delaying the passage of new road safety legislation through the Dáil.
In a written response to a complaint about his behaviour made by the crash victims group PARC, Mr Healy-Rae said he was elected to do a job, and would continue to do that job.
Susan Gray, the founder of PARC who lost her husband in a road traffic collision in Inishowen in 2004 had written to Mr Healy Rae asking him and other Independent TDs to "stop filibustering and allow the Road Traffic Bill to be enacted without further delay".
She said: "It is heartbreaking for anyone bereaved in a road traffic collision to hear you, your brother Danny and Mattie McGrath doing your damnedest to prevent this lifesaving piece of legislation passing into law.
"Your actions in the Dáil has resulted in the Bill being delayed time and time again, showing that you neither care nor understand our suffering or grief, nor do you appear to care that your constituents may suffer as a result" she wrote.
On Wednesday, debate on the road safety legislation was halted following a row over claims that a number of rural TDs were delaying the passage of the bill by speaking at length on a range of amendments to it.
The bill aims to introduce stricter penalties for people caught drink driving, and for learner drivers who drive unaccompanied.
In a written response to Ms Gray, Mr Healy Rae said he was entitled to make observations and raise concerns with regard to the amendments being discussed in the Dáil.
"Anytime legislation goes through the Dáil it takes time, there are delays, there are problems, there are difficulties. In this case it is obvious that there are far-reaching consequences of this legislation and I will continue to highlight the concerns that I have on behalf of my constituents at all times" he said.
"I am sorry that you feel it appropriate to personalise the delaying of the legislation and laying it at my door and at the door of my colleagues but if that is the way then that is the way" he added.
