There is more bad news for Deputy Lawlor this afternoon with indications that the Taoiseach is about to withdraw him as his nominee to key Dail committees.
A Government spokesman says it was always Bertie Ahern's intention to restore the full complement of Fianna Fail representatives on the committees.
A motion is expected before the Dail once the House resumes after the Christmas recess.
Meanwhile Labour Leader Ruairi Quinn is expecting the fall-out of this affair to be an issue in the next election.