The Taoiseach says the response to the government changes of the banking inquiry has been "hysterical", saying it will reflect "the will of the people".

The coalition has been strongly criticised after adding two Senators to the Oireachtas inquiry to ensure a government majority.

A vote in the Seanad today saw two coalition Senators added to the group, essentially giving control over what is examined and who is called to give evidence to the government.

Senators voted 26-to-21 to create two extra seats on the inquiry for Michael Darcy of Fine Gael and and Labour Senator Susan O'Keeffe.

That means the inquiry will go from 9 members to 11 with the government will have a 6-5 majority.

The move comes after two Labour Senators failed to show up for an earlier vote, which led to two opposition Senators being chosen instead.

Marc MacSharry of Fianna Fáil was originally picked to sit on the Committee instead of Susan O'Keeffe.

Opposition Senators described the attempt to as "gerrymandering" and "skulduggery".

Enda Kenny says a majority is needed on every Oireachtas Committee to agree to terms of reference and ensure its work is completed.

He says he has heard the criticisms but that the inquiry will be fair.

Earlier, an Independent TD said he was considering removing himself from the Oireachtas banking inquiry because of the vote today, giving the government parties a majority.

Independent Stephen Donnelly told Newstalk he is not sure he wants to be part of that.

Ned O'Sullivan of Fianna Fáil said even Adolf Hitler would not have adopted the same tactics that Enda Kenny had used.

While Labour leadership candidate Alex White says the addition of two government Senators to the banking inquiry "gives politics a bad name".

Alex White says he does not believe a government majority is "critical" to the success of the inquiry and he disagrees with the later additions to its membership.