The appointment to the National Consumer Agency of Celia Larkin, former partner of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, was raised by Green Party leader Trevor Sargent.
Mr Sargent referred to the appointment when Mr Ahern was replying to a series of questions on appointments to State boards.
Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon said that the National Consumer Agency was the responsibility of Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin, and any questions on the appointment should be submitted to the appropriate Minister.
When Mr Sargent said there was an element of collective responsibility involved, and the Taoiseach might wish to comment, Dr O'Hanlon insisted he had ruled on the matter.
"If the deputy has a question for the appropriate Minister, I suggest he submits one to that Minister," he added.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny suggested there should be no appointment to State boards in the interregnum between elections called and held.
"I acknowledge that, if any analysis is made, all governments have probably taken similar actions," he said.
Mr Ahern said the practice might sound efficient or smart but it was not a bright idea.
"The last time, I managed to curtail it reasonably well but, because the Government was returning, it may not have made as much difference," Mr Ahern added.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte suggested it would be a useful innovation to "respond on the hoof" to Mr Kenny's suggestion that there would not be any appointments made in the interregnum in future.
