There is no evidence to suggest any political party in the Dáil receives funding from the Provisional IRA or through criminal activity, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said today.
Reacting to calls by Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny to clamp down on the Provisional IRA's alleged funding of Sinn Féin, Mr Ahern would only confirm that gardaí were investigating certain individuals who may have links to the Provisional IRA.
The issue arose after the Justice Minister Mr McDowell claimed earlier this month, that Sinn Féin was still closely associated with criminal activity.
Mr Kenny said he could not accept that the Minister could confirm publicly, based on his own evidence, that he was absolutely certain an illegal organisation was funding a party which has contested election successfully and not take any action.
But Mr Ahern said he believed Sinn Féin when they said their funding was all above board.
"Sinn Fein have stated to me how they are funded and I have no other information," he said.
"I have said all my political life that I consider the IRA to be the opposite side of that coin.
"But I am not the Garda Commissioner or the CAB or the Special Investigation Unit, all I am saying is that gardai are investigating the actions of certain people who may have links to the IRA.
Sinn Féin leader Caoimghin O Caolain branded Mr McDowell's comments "scurrilous" and called on the Minister to set the record straight.
He said it was no coincidence that the claims were voiced after the party's success in the Northern elections.
Mr McDowell's controversial comments were made on Today FM in early December when he said Sinn Féin "have a huge unresolved issue in relation to the close connection of the IRA and organised crime in Ireland."
PA