The Minister for Finance has said he and the Houses of the Oireachtas will have to consider whether there is another adequate way in which questions around the expenses of former Fine Gael TD Dara Murphy can be dealt with.
Paschal Donohoe said whether or not Mr Murphy should repay expenses is a matter which depends on whether or not he was compliant with the regulations of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
"My understanding was this was a matter that could be dealt with by SIPO, but it has now become clear that they can only deal with office holders and Mr Murphy is no longer an office holder," he said.
"So what I will have to consider and I know the Houses of the Oireachtas will have to consider, is there an alternative way in which this can be dealt with?
"I've become aware now of the view of the Clerk of the Dail in relation to his standing on the matter and we will have to find a way in which this can be dealt with."
Mr Donohoe said he is responsible for policy in relation to the expenses regime for the Oireachtas.
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But he added that compliance with that expenses regime is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and individual TDs and Senators themselves.
"But I accept that because a number of bodies have clarified that it is not their responsibility, we have to develop an adequate way in which this matter can be dealt with," he said.
"I will work with the Houses of the Oireachtas in relation to how we can do this."
