The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has criticised former FAI chief John Delaney over his appearance at the Oireachtas Sport Committee.

Mr Delaney, who is now the organisation's executive vice-president, refused to answer questions about an April 2017 payment he made to the group - citing legal advice.

The committee had been looking for answers as to why he gave the FAI a €100,000 loan out of his own pocket two years ago.

But he told the committee: "On legal advice I am precluded from making any further comment at this hearing in relation to the finances of the association or my former role as CEO or the €100,000 payment either directly or indirectly."

He also accused "some members" of the committee of making "highly prejudicial public pronouncements" about him personally, prior to his attendance.

FAI executive vice-president John Delaney (right) and FAI president Donal Conway arrive at Leinster House | Image: Brian Lawless/PA Wire/PA Images

He was asked by Sinn Féin's Imelda Munster if he ever considered his position, to which Mr Delaney replied: "I've read my statement already".

While President of the FAI, Donal Conway, told TDs and Senators that the FAI broke State funding rules by failing to tell Sport Ireland about the loan or any "material deterioration" in the association's finances in 2017.

On Tuesday, Sport Ireland announced it was to temporarily 'suspend and withhold' future funding to the FAI until the association can prove it is compliant with its funding rules.

Speaking in Cork Mr Varadkar said while Mr Delaney was within his rights, many people wanted the questions answered.

"I don't think anyone would be satisfied by it - I think the public taxpayers, football fans would have liked to have seen those questions being answered.

"But the truth is he was within his legal rights not to answer those questions because he's not a public servant and therefore is not accountable to the Oireachtas.

"However the FAI is accountable to the ODCE - the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement - and is accountable to Sport Ireland for the public money they get.

"And I know those bodies will have questions to ask of FAI, which I think need to be answered - thus allowing us to do what we want to do, which is to restore funding to FAI".