Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators said they were confident that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern would survive the current crisis, but that he needed to provide a full explanation of what had become known as the Manchester payment.
Leader of the Seanad Mary O'Rourke said she hoped the issue would be dealt with comprehensively on Tuesday in the Dáil. "Mr McDowell has said, let's hear what the Taoiseach has to say on this, and I'm sure there will be a full explanation from him on Tuesday," she said.
Cork South West TD Denis O'Donovan said he was "standing full-square behind the Taoiseach".
"I'm quite confident the Taoiseach will deal with all of the issues to the satisfaction of everyone. I have great faith in the Taoiseach." He believed there was "nothing sinister" in the Manchester payment, and he believed the Progressive Democrats would be "reassured as well" when Mr Ahern dealt with the issue in the Dáil. "I don't think they would want to precipitate an election," he added.
Dublin North West TD Pat Carey said he believed it was "important that the Taoiseach does address the Dáil on Tuesday. I feel he will be in a position to clarify matters and I'm looking forward to that".
However, Mr Carey believed some damage had been done to the Government and Mr Ahern's reputation. "But people are still extremely supportive of him, from the calls I have been getting to my office."
Speaking on local radio yesterday morning, Carlow Kilkenny TD MJ Nolan said yesterday that he believed Mr Ahern had been "compromised" by the €50,000 he received from 12 friends in 1993 and 1994.
However, when contacted by journalists later that day he said he had not intended to say this. He had instead meant to say that Mr Ahern "would be compromised" if he failed to give a full account of the Manchester payment in the Dáil on Tuesday.
Dublin South West TD Charlie O'Connor said he believed there would not be an election because of the controversy.
"It's a developing situation," he said. "All I know is what I'm reading and what I'm seeing on the television. But I can tell you from being out all day, it's not on the tips of people's tongues. In fact, all of the comments I have heard have been in support of the Taoiseach."
Longford TD Peter Kelly said that he had no concerns about Mr Ahern's position. "I'm sure he will survive," he said. "I'm an optimist and I'm confident he'll be able to address the issues."
Minister of State for the Environment Batt O'Keeffe said he believed neither the future of Mr Ahern nor the Government was at stake.
"I cannot see this issue interfering in any way with the Taoiseach and his role as the head of Government," he said on RTÉ radio yesterday. "He certainly has the full confidence of the Fianna Fáil party. And we feel absolutely confident that when the Dáil resumes on Tuesday that the Taoiseach will give his response and will take questions."
Laois Offaly TD Seán Fleming described the last seven days as "not a good week" and that there were "definitely mixed feelings on the ground" about Mr Ahern and the payments.
"We're in the middle of a storm and I do believe we can weather this storm," he said.
Privately, however, a number of TDs and Senators said there was considerable concern within the party about the controversy and the possible outcome.
"Somebody described us backbenchers as looking shell-shocked in the Dáil during the week and I think that's the best description," said one.
"I suppose the Taoiseach has had us all tranquillised for years now, so we don't know how to react," another said.
A third TD said: "Of course it was wrong of him to take the money, and I think he will have to admit that."