The Taoiseach Mr Ahern was tonight under increased pressure to take part in a live television debate on the forthcoming abortion referendum.
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Former Fine Gael leader Mr Alan Dukes was the latest political figure to speak out about the Taoiseach’s stance, calling him a coward for rejecting Mr Michael Noonan’s invitation to debate on the referendum on television next month.
Mr Dukes said Mr Ahern had displayed "total political cowardice" in rejecting the invitation from the Fine Gael party leader, and claimed the grounds for the decision were "bogus".
Mr Ahern today re-stated his refusal to take part in the debate, saying to do so would "politicise" the issue. When asked to elaborate further on his decision earlier today, Mr Ahern said "I’ve nothing to add".
Mr Dukes said Mr Ahern’s response to such questioning exposed his "tactics of bluster and spoof on this important referendum".
He said: "Mr Ahern’s words of apparent conviction last week, when he told a press conference he was passionate in his determination to carry the referendum, now ring totally hollow".
Mr Dukes also said Mr Ahern was feigning concern about politicising the debate on abortion.
"The very definition of a referendum is a political mechanism where a political proposition is put to the people for decision. Debate, and the contest of opposing viewpoints, is the very thing the abortion referendum needs", he said.
Mr Dukes accused the Taoiseach of attempting to "stymie the efforts of the Referendum Commission to get the facts to the people on time" and said Mr Ahern seemed intent on curtailing public debate through bogus arguments.
A spokeswoman for Fianna Fáil this evening said Mr Ahern has made no further comment following Mr Dukes’ statement.
Fianna Fail, have called on people to vote "Yes" but Fine Gael and the Labour Party have backed the "No" vote campaign.
Mr Noonan wrote to Mr Ahern tonight to formally ask for a public debate on the issue.
Meanwhile, Labour party leader Mr Ruiari Quinn said he believed Mr Ahern did not want a full debate on the issue.
Earlier today Independent MEP Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon said the She says the Government’s proposed amendment does not "vindicate the value of life from conception. She said she would be voting no in the referendum.