The resignation of the EU Commission last night has presented the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, with an unexpected dilemma. Should he avail himself of an opportunity, and request the German presidency not to re-appoint Ireland's former Commissioner, Mr Padraig Flynn? And if Mr Ahern does so, who does he request be appointed instead?
Opposition politicians are bound to call for Mr Ahern to take the chance to remove Mr Flynn from the EU stage; but the Taoiseach may worry that if he seeks to block reappointment of Mr Flynn, he will be accused of taking advantage of an EU fraud report which contained no criticisms of the Irish Commissioner.
It is expected that the Germans will request the former Commission to stay on in a caretaker capacity until the Agenda 2000 negotiations are complete and possibly pending the appointment of a new Commission president which was scheduled to take place at the Berlin summit in June.
Should Mr Ahern request the German presidency not to re-appoint Mr Flynn as part of such a caretaker Commission his immediate problem is finding a temporary replacement.
As the Government's Dail majority is so slim it is believed unlikely the Taoiseach would appoint anyone from the Government parties, and as European elections are to take place in June most outgoing MEP's want to be free to fight to retain their seats.
It has been speculated that former Fianna Fail Justice Minister, Ms Maire Geoghegan Quinn, is under serious consideration in Government circles for nomination as an Irish candidate for the new Commission which takes office next year. This may now be brought forward.
The Taoiseach may also be tempted to nominate names from the Opposition benches so securing his majority still further. Such a move has precedent; Mr Dick Burke was nominated to the EU Commission by then Fianna Fail Taoiseach, Mr Charles Haughey.
In that context it is believed consideration has been given to the Government nominating the former Labour party leader, Mr Dick Spring, or the former Fine Gael leader, Mr Alan Dukes, as Irish Commissioner. Both men have extensive EU experience.
Indeed as the Commission nomination process involves the submission by national Governments of a number of names to the incoming Commission president for his or her consideration, both men may find themselves on the Irish Government list.
In mid-January, Fianna Fail sources made it clear that Mr Flynn was unlikely to be re-nominated for a third term as Commissioner.
They said it was "extremely doubtful" that he would be put forward for re-nomination.
This followed his controversial remarks on the Late Late Show, when asked about the £50,000 the property developer, Mr Tom Gilmartin, said he had given Mr Flynn for Fianna Fail.
Mr Flynn replied that he "never took money from anyone to do a political favour". He also said he understood Mr Gilmartin was unwell, and quickly apologised for the remarks afterwards.
Mr Flynn raised hackles on the programme by describing the £100,000 after-tax salary he enjoyed as an EU Commissioner, which allowed him to run three homes. He also reminded the audience that later he could look forward to ministerial pensions paid for by them, the public.
The Taoiseach has told the Dail that Fianna Fail's general secretary, Mr Martin Macken, had sent a letter to Mr Flynn seeking an explanation of what happened to the £50,000 donation. Mr Flynn replied that he would be dealing with the matter before the Flood Tribunal.
