There have been angry scenes in the Dáil as Opposition parties demanded Fianna Fáil TD Ivor Callely make a statement on his resignation as junior minister for transport.
The parties were denied time to debate the resignation, and Mr Callely declined to make a statement to the House.
Mr Callely was effectively sacked after a Cabinet meeting this morning, and the Taoiseach told the Dáil this morning he had accepted Mr Callely's resignation after a series of embarrassing controversies.
Mr Callely listened as Opposition parties were repeatedly denied time by Ceann Comhairle Rory O'Hanlon to discuss the issue during time set aside to discuss yesterday's Budget.
Labour TD Ruairí Quinn accused Dr O'Hanlon of "smothering democracy", adding: "A minister has been sacked, forced to resign. Under the rules of this house, it is reasonable to request the Taoiseach in the House now, can the whips meet later today to have an hour's discussion on this point?
"Today, and not when it's history."
His party leader, Pat Rabbitte, added: "It is being debated everywhere except in the House. There are serious issues arising from it and the Taoiseach has the freedom to give Government time to permit adequate discussion.
Fine Gael TD for Louth Fergus O'Dowd
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said matters of "public concern" needed to be discussed.
"When the Taoiseach spoke in the House here on the third of December 1996 with regard to the resignation of former minister Michael Lowry, he said: 'The minister's obligations do not cease just becasue he has resigned. Resignation is not an excuse for going to ground and hoping that the public lose interest. That would be a travesty of accountability'".
Mr Kenny said an explaination was needed as to "whether the minister resigned, whether he was sacked, or whether it was a conspiracy".
As angry scenes continued, Fine Gael TD for Louth Fergus O'Dowd told Dr O'Hanlon: "If we can hear him on the Pat Kenny show we can hear him here. We want to hear him here."
Dr O'Hanlon responded: "It is deputy Callely's perogotive if he wishes to make a statement or not".
After the loud exchanges between Dr O'Hanlon and Mr Kenny, Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt made a brief statement, despite Mr O'Hanlon's initial resistance.
Mr Kitt said there was no precedent for such a statement, referring to the resignation of previous ministers of state, Phil Hogan and Bobby Molloy.
However, Labour's Tommy Broughan said Ned O'Keeffe had made a statement to the House when he resigned as minister of state.
Later, Labour's Sean Ryan was asked to leave the House. Mr Ryan remained in the chamber and said the Taoiseach had "instructed" Mr Callely "not to speak in the Dáil but he can speak on the radio".
Mr Ryan eventually left, saying it was "disgrace" that he was being ordered out while the public want to hear about the resignation but Mr Callely and the Ceann Comhairle was "not prepared to allow that".
Mr Ahern refused to allow a debate on the resignation saying: "I think it's an absolute disgrace that we can't get on and debate the Budget."
Later, Mr Ahern added: "If the deputy wishes to make a personal statement it is totally open to him. It is a very difficult day for him. He doesn't wish to make a personal statement to the House.
"He is not bound by any rule of the Dail or the Government or of the Fianna Fail party".
Speaking at a press conference in Dublin as debate raged in the House, Tánaiste Mary Harney said: "It is always sad to see a colleague forced to resign", adding that he had made the right decision in doing so.
She said it was not one particular incident that prompted Mr Callely's resignation, but was the sum of a number of issues.
