The Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, will consider how to respond to a complaint made by the chief executive of Web Summit, Paddy Cosgrave, regarding remarks made in the Dáil last week by Tánaiste Micheál Martin.
It is open to him to refer the matter to a Dáil committee for evaluation.
In a letter published on Twitter yesterday, Mr Cosgrave contended his reputation has been "adversely affected" by the Tánaiste's remarks.
Mr Martin was speaking in defence of Fianna Fáil Minister of State Niall Collins when criticising The Ditch, claiming the website was "not an independent media platform".
In his letter, which was sent to the Clerk of the Dáil, Mr Cosgrave cited Dáil Standing Order 71 which allows a person who feels they have been negatively impacted by a comment in the Dáil chamber to make a submission.
The chief executive of Web Summit argued: "It can be reasonably inferred from the words used that he [Tánaiste] was suggesting that I am backing and/or funding a media and/or political organisation that is co-funded and/or backed by the Russian government."
He added: "For the avoidance of doubt, all of the above claims and/or suggestions made by Deputy Martin are entirely false."
In a statement today, the Oireachtas said when the Clerk of the Dáil receives such a letter, he "furnishes that submission to the Ceann Comhairle".
It added that the Ceann Comhairle then "determines the action to be taken on the submission" which could include referring the matter to the Committee on Parliamentary Procedures and Oversight for "consideration".
