Reaction: Government: Minister for Health Mary Harney said yesterday she thought the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, would clarify his role in payments from wealthy friends when he was minister for finance in 1993,
Speaking to journalists at a separate event in Dublin yesterday, she said the issue was one best commented on by the Progressive Democrats, by party leader Michael McDowell.
"But I want to say is I think the Taoiseach will clarify the matter. I'm not going to say whether he should or shouldn't. I think he will. That would be my expectation."
Referring to Mr Ahern's marriage break-up at the time of the payments, she said these were sensitive and that political capital should not be made out of that.
"When there are personal issues involved, which is at the heart of this, I think we've always respected that.
"I don't want to even repeat what the personal issues are because that in itself can become a story. These are very harrowing times for individuals and we have never sought politically to get involved."
Asked whether the issue had damaged Government or whether it could if not clarified, she said: "I'm not saying anything more about it. I saw the Taoiseach at the Ryder Cup yesterday. I was talking to him, mainly about the golf and the great occasion that it was for Ireland.
"I'm going to say no more than I've said. If there's anything more to be said by the Progressive Democrats, it's the responsibility of the Tánaiste."
Speaking in Cobh, Co Cork, Minister for Social and Family Affairs Séamus Brennan reiterated his view that Mr Ahern enjoys the full support of his Cabinet but he refused to be drawn on whether he believed the Taoiseach should make a statement in relation to the payments.
"I don't really want to add to what I said on the Week in Politics. The Taoiseach has the full support of his colleagues and after that it's a matter for himself really," said Mr Brennan, adding that he didn't have any information on whether Mr Ahern would make a statement.
Cork North Central Fianna Fáil TD Noel O'Flynn said he would support the idea of the Taoiseach making a statement about the 1993 donations but stressed that it was ultimately a matter for the Taoiseach to decide.