The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, confirmed in the Dáil tonight that the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) had a report critical of the standard of care provided by the Leas Cross Nursing Home in the Autumn of last year.
The nursing home in Swords, Co Dublin, is at the centre of criticism over the standard of care for patients following a Prime Timeinvestigation on RTE.
Mr Ahern confirmed to the Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, during leaders questions that the report did exist however he said he would have to take legal advice on the issue of publishing it.
The Taoiseach also said he understood the report was very critical and that it raised very serious issues.
Tonight, the Tanaiste, Mary Harney, said the report would be published at the end of the month.
Earlier today it emerged that health authorities are considering going to court to seek the closure of Leas Cross nursing home following growing concern over standards of care for the home's 90 residents.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) is seeking alternative nursing home places for more than 20 public patients because of fears over their safety.
It is also advising private patients and their relatives to seek alternative arrangements.
In a statement yesterday the HSE said the nursing home "will not be or is not" in compliance with basic care regulations and that the health authority would "take whatever steps are deemed appropriate".
Meanwhile, the owner of the Leas Cross, John Aherne, vowed to fight any attempts by health service bosses to shut it down.
Mr Aherne warned: "I will fight it. I have enough fight in me."
Relations of some elderly patients also held protests outside Leas Cross today to object at the removal of people from the home.
Mr Aherne added that the home had lost no residents due to the Prime Timeprogramme and questioned the methods HSE officials were using to assess the home.
"I am not condoning what was on that tape, I am saying that Leas Cross is an excellent nursing home, I am saying the facilities are excellent. I am saying that if 90 people are removed from Leas Cross there can be serious consequences for the health of these people," Mr Aherne told RTE Radio.