Three of the five Independent members on the opposition benches in the Seanad expressed concern about the treatment of Mr Hugh O'Flaherty.
Mr Joe O'Toole said it was unfair that a man driven by humanitarian concern was being publicly destroyed.
Disagreeing with Mr O'Toole's remarks, Mr Joe Costello (Labour) said there were serious issues involved, including the death of a woman, the imprisoning of a young man and a controversial judicial decision.
"If it was appropriate for the Coalition partners to suggest impeachment at that time, it is now more appropriate that they should not reward somebody."
Mr Joe Doyle (FG) said he wanted to be associated with Mr O'Toole's remarks.
Ms Ann Ormonde (FF) said Mr O'Flaherty had served the country over a period of decades but now an attempt was being made to "mark him down".
Mr David Norris (Independent) said he strongly supported Mr O'Toole on "this nasty matter of the EIB appointment and, in particular, the way it was being stirred up. It was most regrettable."
He did not think somebody should be so completely and irrevocably damaged because of a perception that his actions could be misinterpreted by the public.
Mr Denis O'Donovan (FF) complimented those on the other side of the House who had taken a very humane view of the issue.
Mr Feargal Quinn (Independent) said he believed there was no comparison between the misjudgement that had been made by Mr O'Flaherty and the crimes he was being accused of. "He is worthy of support".
Ms Kathleen O'Meara (Lab) said the undermining of public confidence in judicial appointments and in the independence of the judiciary had been one of the more unfortunate side-effects of this affair. As legislators, they needed to examine very carefully the whole issue of judicial appointments and the political appointment of judges, and whether it was time to reform the whole system.
Mr Labhras O Murchu (FF) said it was very sad to see such an eminent person as Mr O'Flaherty being ridiculed, denigrated and lampooned; by extension his family was suffering as well.
"If we are to have a debate in this House, why not have a debate about due process? Over the weeks we have had people being brought out who have not been proved guilty of anything and we are pointing fingers at them and we are ruining their careers. I think it is time that we do not any longer bow down to the media but take a stand for decency and fair play in this country."
Mr Camillus Glynn (FF) said Mr O'Flaherty had been treated disgracefully. "I think he compares with that good man from Nazareth, and remember that they crucified him."
Mr Brendan Ryan (Lab) interjected to say he thought they had a rule against blasphemy in the House. The sort of comparison that Senator Glynn had made was blasphemous, in his view.
Mr Glynn: "Coming from your side of the House, I would not be surprised at you making that kind of comparison."
Mr Joe Costello (Lab): "It's a blasphemous statement."
Mr Paschal Mooney (FF) said the viciousness of the campaign against Mr O'Flaherty and his family had gone beyond what was normal political debate and fair comment.
The Leader of the House, Mr Donie Cassidy, said Mr O'Flaherty was a very eminent person and he had no doubt that his credibility and ability in representing this State abroad would come to be acknowledged.