The Fianna Fail spokesperson on Justice, Niall Collins, says he cannot understand why the Taoiseach is refusing to say if he was recalled to assist in resolving conflicting evidence to the Fennelly Commission, which investigated events leading to the departure of Martin Callinan as Garda commissioner last year.

Mr Collins has said it appears as if the Taoiseach is “running for cover” by refusing to answer if he had been recalled or not.

“The Taoiseach hasn’t given us the truth in the matter and he can’t even confirm that he has been recalled,” Mr Collins said.

“I can’t see how the Taoiseach confirming that he, the Attorney General and the Secretary General of his department have been recalled to the Fennelly Commission to clarify evidence - I can’t see how that would prejudice anything.

“So from our own point of view ... the only conclusion anyone can come to here is that the Taoiseach is running for cover,” Mr Collins said.

Reports yesterday said the Taoiseach was one of three people recalled to the Commission due to conflicting evidence.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he was unwilling to break the law by commenting on the issue.

Speaking yesterday in Texas, Mr Kenny said: "It is an offence for anybody associated with the commission to comment on it and I do not propose to breach the law that is in place for very many years," he said.

"So while you might ask me questions about attendance or otherwise at the Fennelly Commission, I do not propose to breach the law which set up these commissions of investigation," he added.