The Tánaiste, Ms Harney, has called on former Fianna Fail TD Beverley Flynn to resign her seat in the wake of the National Irish Bank scandal.
Mrs Flynn was one of 19 former senior NIB officials blamed in a damning report for widespread tax evasion and overcharging at the bank.
Former NIB chief executive Mr Jim Lacey was another of the high profile figures criticised in the six year investigation into the bank's activities in the 1980s and 1990s.
Ms Harney accused Ms Flynn of not being fit to hold public office. She added that Ms Flynn and the others mentioned would have to reflect on the conclusions drawn by the High Court Inspectors.
The 19 face possible criminal charges after the bank was left with a total bill of €64 million.
The authorities also vowed to take civil action to prevent some of those implicated from becoming company directors in the future.
The report by High Court inspectors began after an unidentified employee blew the whistle on illegal activities within the bank.
It also concluded that the bank's 135 branch managers could not be held responsible for the illegal practices.