The party whips will meet on Wednesday to consider whether disciplinary action can be taken against the Sinn Féin TD, Mr CaoimhghíÓ Caoláin.
Mr Ó Caoláin's refusal on a radio programme to advise the public to help the Garda in their inquiries into bombings and murder was described by the Government Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, as "disgraceful".
Mr Brennan said this attitude was doubly reprehensible because Mr Ó Caoláin was a member of the Dáil. Because of it, he and the other party whips would consider whether disciplinary action could be taken in this case.
The Ethics in Public Office Act does not cover a matter of this kind. But the code of conduct agreed by the Oireachtas Members Interests Committee last week may be relevant.
One of the provisions of the code obliges all members "to ensure that their conduct does not bring the integrity of their office or the Dáil into serious disrepute".
The chairman of the committee, Mr Tony Killeen of Fianna Fáil, is likely to be consulted on whether disciplinary action could be taken against Mr Ó Caoláin.
