The decision by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, to give £60 million to the GAA was not approved by the Cabinet.
It was unclear last night what level of consultation had taken place between Mr Ahern and the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, over the allocation. The PD chairman, Mr John Minihan, has said he was shocked at the decision and questioned the motivation and the timing behind it.
However, a Government spokeswoman last night said that Ms Harney has been involved "in ongoing discussions" in relation to Campus Stadium Ireland up to and including Friday when the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, "spoke to her about the most recent developments".
Meanwhile, Fine Gael has called for an Oireachtas committee to be allowed examine the Campus Ireland proposal, saying it is now clear the GAA rank-and-file is willing to see Croke Park used as Ireland's national outdoor stadium.
The Fine Gael spokesman on sport, Mr Jimmy Deenihan, said yesterday the GAA membership was now clearly in favour of allowing soccer and rugby to be played at Croke Park. "Therefore the folly of pursuing another stadium at Abbotstown must be questioned."
The GAA Congress had voted in favour of allowing soccer and rugby, although the margin fell one vote short of the two-thirds majority required for a rule change. There were reports that had some delegates not been absent from the room when the vote was taken, the rule change would have been made.