Tánaiste Michael McDowell indicated yesterday that he was "committed to Government" when he visited the World Ploughing Championships in Carlow.
He refused to make further comments on the Taoiseach's difficulties.
Less than half an hour earlier, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who had flown in to the event, also refused to make any comment on the issues facing him other than to tell RTÉ that he was "going to answer all the questions", presumably in the Dáil on Tuesday.
Mr McDowell joked with the assembled reporters and noted the site was "a bit wet underfoot still, but firm to soft going politically".
"I've said everything I want to say on this yesterday and what I said yesterday was carefully considered, balanced and measured, and I don't want to say anything in addition to or in subtraction from what I said yesterday," the Tánaiste said to reporters.
"The Progressive Democrats are committed to Government and to governing in accordance with our programme for government and I've no doubt that the people of Ireland want us to do that," he said when asked if there was a crisis in the Government.
"With Fianna Fáil?" the Tánaiste was asked as he prepared to leave the press conference.
"Yeah," Mr McDowell replied.