THE GREEN Party and the Progressive Democrats are unlikely to raise concerns about Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's decision not to deal directly in the Dáil tomorrow with conflicts between his evidence and that given by a former secretary about sterling lodgements.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach's High Court challenge to the operation of the Mahon tribunal begins in the Four Courts this morning, and is set to last at least three days.
Last night sources close to Mr Ahern were adamant that he would not attempt to deal with the apparent conflicts between his evidence and that of former secretary Gráinne Carruth when questioned by Opposition leaders tomorrow afternoon.
For now the Taoiseach intends only to refer to the existence of his High Court challenge and to his obligations to the tribunal itself, along with some general commentary about recent events, The Irish Times understands.
His decision will cause difficulties for the Greens and PDs, who both called last week for extra information quickly from Mr Ahern in the wake of "public disquiet", as acting PD leader Mary Harney put it.
Ms Carruth has accepted at the tribunal that "in all probability" she did lodge sterling into his bank accounts, despite Mr Ahern's repeated declarations that he never handled sterling.
Last night a Progressive Democrats spokesman repeatedly said that Ms Harney had never insisted that the Taoiseach had to make a statement to the Dáil.
"She did not specifically say that she wanted a statement," he said. Despite a renewed call by former lord mayor of Galway, Green Party councillor Niall Ó Brolcháin on Mr Ahern to resign, the Green Party nationally clearly wants to avoid a major row this week with Fianna Fáil.
"Our approach in all of this has been to avoid a 'High Noon', demands and deadlines in so far as we can," said a party spokesman last night, who insisted that party leader John Gormley's comments last week were justified and moderate.
Meanwhile, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin became the latest Cabinet member to refuse to say if he believed Mr Ahern's testimony.
Speaking in Galway, Mr Martin said it was a matter for the Taoiseach if he wished to make a statement clarifying issues surrounding evidence he had already given at the tribunal. Praising Mr Ahern's role on Northern Ireland, the economy and social partnership, Mr Martin was insistent that Mr Ahern should issue that clarifying statement before the tribunal, and not "outside of that forum".
The issue of the 10th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement will loom large on Thursday, when Mr Ahern addresses an Institute of British Studies conference in University College Dublin.
Northern Ireland will again feature in his diary the following week when Mr Ahern hosts former British prime minister Tony Blair and the Northern Ireland talks chairman Senator George Mitchell. The two men have been invited by Mr Ahern to Government Buildings.