The Taoiseach pledged that the Government would vigorously defend itself in the face of the Labour motion of no confidence.

Mr Ahern was responding to the Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, who gave notice to the House that his party would table the motion later in the day and requested the Taoiseach to arrange for the Government and Opposition whips to arrange when it could be taken.

The Taoiseach said: "The Government will be glad to do that, will give the Government time, and will formally take the motion head on."

Asked by Mr John Bruton if he was speaking for both Government parties, Mr Ahern replied: "I speak for the Government."

Mr Ahern firmly ruled out extending the Dail term beyond tomorrow when the House is due to go into recess for three months. "Will the Dail sit next week?" Mr Bruton asked. "No," replied Mr Ahern. "It should," said Mr Bruton.

The Opposition challenged two votes on the Order of Business, but the Government had comfortable majorities - 72 to 66 and 74 to 67. Disagreeing with the Government proposal for a late sitting yesterday, Mr Bruton said it was only required because the Coalition was running away from the Dail and did not want to sit next week.

The Government, he added, did not want the Dail to consider next week the outcome of the Taoiseach's appearance at the Moriarty tribunal and did not want it to consider either "the Tanaiste's total lack of accountability to this House for her appalling misjudgements."

"The fact that the rail strike is continuing without any visible intervention from the Minister, or without even any outrage in this House, shows how this Government and this House are completely distracted by sleaze . . ." said Mr Bruton.