The Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise, Mr Joe Jacobs, who was sharply criticised yesterday following a radio interview, has the full confidence of the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, the Government spokesman has said.
The poor performance of the Minister of State on the RTE Radio Marian Finucane show as he answered questions about the State's national emergency plan led to calls from the Opposition for his resignation.
Asked if Mr Jacobs retained the full confidence of the Taoiseach, the Government spokesman said: "Absolutely. He is doing a great job. He has organised all of this work to review the national emergency plan.
"The fact that he did not do a good interview - in the view of some people - should not be a reason for him to go."
Privately, Government sources complain that Mr Jacobs had told the programme that he could only deal with questions about the State's emergency plans for a nuclear disaster, and not those about germ or biological warfare.
The Minister of State was not available for interview following the programme.
The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, appeared on RTE's Six One News to ease public fears about the Government's readiness to cope with a terrorist attack.
Fine Gael TD Mr Charlie Flanagan said the Taoiseach should sack the Minister after his "disgraceful show of incompetence" during the interview with Marian Finucane.
"Instead of conveying clear and concise information on what action the public needs to take in the event of a nuclear disaster, Mr Jacob ended up frightening more people than he reassured," said Mr Flanagan.
Labour Party TD Mr Emmet Stagg said it was "blatantly obvious" Mr Jacob had no understanding of his portfolio.
The Minister's performance was "worthy of a Bull Island sketch", he said.
From Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, Mr Jacob has been a TD since 1987 and is a former chairman of the Fianna Fβil Parliamentary Party.
It has been rumoured in Co Wicklow that he plans not to contest his seat at the next general election.
Commenting on the Minister's performance, Mr Flanagan said it would have been laughable "if the job he has to do was not so serious.
"People in this country are depending on the Government to show competence and leadership for their safety.
"Minister Jacob has clearly lost the confidence of the Irish people and the Taoiseach must replace him with somebody who is up to the job."