Sinn Fein politicians have written to the Tanaiste calling on him to address the Dail over allegations surrounding Senator Martin Conway.
The letter refers to particular concerns that Senator Conway allegedly acted inappropriately with a member of Oireachtas party political staff and that 10,000 euro was paid out following the alleged incident.
The letter is signed by four Sinn Fein senators – Maria McCormack, Pauline Tully, Joanne Collins and Nicole Ryan – and TD Louise O’Reilly.
Senator Conway resigned from the Fine Gael parliamentary party over the weekend after admitting to being arrested by gardai for being intoxicated in public.
Louise O’Reilly co-signed a letter calling on Simon Harris to address the Dail (PA)
He said he had been arrested on Dublin’s O’Connell Street on January 22 for being in an intoxicated state “due to consumption of sleeping tablets and alcohol”.
He was not charged.
Mr Conway, from Co Clare, was re-elected to the Seanad in the period between the arrest and the first reports of the incident.
It has also emerged that the senator was subject to a separate internal investigation over allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female party staff member.
In the letter addressed to Simon Harris, they state: “We are writing to request that time is allocated for you to address the Dail and answer questions in respect of your Fine Gael colleague, Senator Martin Conway.
“You are aware of the very serious concerns around the behaviour of Senator Conway.
“It is of particular concern that Senator Conway allegedly acted inappropriately with a member of Oireachtas party political staff. That a sum of ten thousand euros was paid out in respect of this incident.
“Questions must be answered as to why this money was paid out, to whom was it paid and what was the purpose of making such a payment.
“Senator Conway was subsequently supported by the Fine Gael party in contesting elections to the Dail for the Clare constituency, and thereafter to the Seanad as your candidate.
“There are many questions to be answered and it is necessary that as Tanaiste and Fine Gael leader that you come before the Dail this week and make a full statement and take questions on these matters.”
On Wednesday, the Fine Gael leader said it would be “very unusual” for him to have reopened a party probe into Senator Conway’s previous behaviour.
Mr Harris said there will be a disciplinary process for Mr Conway centred around the circumstances of his arrest, but added that it will also take into account any previous issues that had arisen.
He said it first came to his attention in late 2024. He became leader of the party in April last year, succeeding Leo Varadkar who had been in the role since 2017.
Mr Conway, who has a visual impairment, was nominated to contest the Seanad election by sight-loss agency Vision Ireland.