Attempts are under way to have the Dáil discuss a motion of censure of Wexford Independent TD Mick Wallace, who is at the centre of controversy over his tax affairs.

The move follows the decision of Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett to decline a request from Deputy Wallace for Dáil time to make a personal statement tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Technical Group has said that Deputy Wallace has agreed to requests from its members to step back voluntarily from the group.

Whip to the Technical Group Catherine Murphy has formally requested that the Government Chief Whip schedules time this week to address the matter.

Speaking on behalf of the Technical Group, Ms Murphy said the revelations last week were serious and a number of members requested that he step aside, which he agreed to do.

Last week, Mr Wallace disclosed that he had knowingly underestimated the VAT his company owed, and that he would not be able to pay a €2 million tax settlement subsequently agreed with the Revenue.

Asked if he should also resign as a TD, Ms Murphy said: "I have not called for his resignation, I believe that is not up to me to call for his resignation. He is democratically elected to the Dáil and it is up to the people of Wexford".

The Wexford Independent sought to make a personal statement to the Dáil under Section 44 of Standing Orders tomorrow to explain his situation, and why he intended to remain as a TD.

But it has emerged that the Ceann Comhairle has written to him declining his request, because Mr Barrett feels that the nature of the issue does not fall within the remit of that section.

Separately, it is believed that the Members' Interests committee may be in a position to launch its own investigation.

It had been thought that because the affair pre-dated Mr Wallace's time as a TD, the committee would have no function.

It is thought that the committee could inquire into his failure to attempt to repay the tax due since he was elected last year.

The last time the Dáil passed a motion of censure on one of its members was in the aftermath of the Moriarty Tribunal.

The House censured Tipperary Independent Michael Lowry, who was heavily criticised in its report.

Shane Ross left messages asking about resignation

Deputy Shane Ross said he left messages for Mick Wallace last Friday, asking if he would consider resigning from the Dáil Technical Group as he thought his position was untenable.

It followed a telephone meeting between Deputy Ross with other members of the group.

Speaking on RTÉ's Six One News, Mr Ross said did not think it was appropriate to make this public before today.

"I thought that the most appropriate effective way of dealing with this was not putting huge public pressure on him on Friday night and go to the media and say look I've asked him to resign.

“I thought the most effective way to do it was to do it in a private way and to let him consider it over the weekend without the media knowing about it, and to talk to him maybe on Monday morning."