Socialist TD Joe Higgins has been chosen to sit on the banking inquiry.

The Dublin-West TD has been nominated by his colleagues in the Dáil Technical Group to take up the seat vacated by Stephen Donnelly.

Deputy Donnelly quit the inquiry over the weekend, in protest at the government decision to add two extra Senators to the committee to guarantee its own majority.

A Fine Gael and a Labour Senator have been added to the committee - however the party whip has been removed from the inquiry.

Earlier, a member of the Technical Group called on Mr. Donnelly to re-consider his decision to resign from the inquiry.

Independent Waterford TD John Halligan told Newstalk Breakfast it is vital someone from this group has a seat on the committee.

Meanwhile Fianna Fail is continuing to criticise the government for its handling of the banking inquiry.

Limerick deputy Willie O'Dea says it will take a Leveson-style inquiry to see out the investigation.