Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin has said a Commission of Investigation could be set up to investigate the sale of SiteServ.
Minister Howlin said that a further inquiry would only be ordered if an internal inquiry uncovers some evidence of wrongdoing.
He was speaking as the Dáil voted down a Fianna Fáil proposal for a Commission of Investigation into the sale by IBRC to Denis O'Brien's company Millington.
He said that the Opposition would complain if a Commission was established, because it probably would not be able to report back until after the election.
"In fact, if there was issues to be hidden, you'd probably go that route because, as we've seen from previous inquiries, they'll be pushed into such a timeframe that they are unlikely to impact on immediate electoral contests that might arise next year," he said.