Proceedings at the Banking Inquiry were suspended this evening after a row between the chairman and another member.

Ciaran Lynch took the inquiry into private session after repeatedly warning Fianna Fáil's Marc MacSharry about his line of questioning.

Senator MacSharry was questioning the Central Bank's former Chief Economist, Tom O'Connell, who said he was blocked from raising concerns about the economy by bank directors with political connections.

But he was scolded by the chairman, who accused him of making a value judgement on the evidence when he said the following:

A public session has resumed this evening following the suspension.

Earlier today the Financial Regulator's former head of consumer affairs said she did attend social events with bankers - but said they did not affect her performance in the role.

Mary O'Dea told the Banking Inquiry that she and senior bankers attended one social event at a private venue in Dublin, just weeks after the Bank Guarantee was introduced.

But she says she attended only in her official capacity, and that the event was organised by the Regulator itself to mark the retirement of its former chairman.

She said several financial institutions organised many social events where bankers and regulators would meet, and it never influenced her in her role.

Tomorrow the inquiry will hear from Liam O’Reilly - former CEO of the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority - and Brian Patterson, former Chairman of the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority.