The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, made a surprise appearance in the Dáil this evening to say he was "saddened" by Opposition attempts to make "political capital" from what he said was "a compassionate gesture" to assist a man suffering from cancer.
He "utterly" rejected a report in the Irish Independentwhich said he attempted to "have a planning authority suspend action" it was taking against Mr Brian Murray of Glenanommer Townland, Athleague.
Roscommon County Council had initiated legal action to close an alleged unauthorised quarry development.
Mr Ahern said the newspaper claim was a "blatant distortion of the truth".
"I was simply seeking on compassionate grounds more time for the close relative of a constituent who was undergoing very distressing and debilitating cancer treatment to deal with the matter."
He said his intervention in the form of a letter he authorised - though did not sign - was, "as a public representative ... 100 per cent legitimate".
Mr Ahern took full responsibility for the letter from his constituency office asking the County Council's enforcement officer to "put on hold" the case against the quarry owner until his chemotherapy treatment was finished.
Opposition parties argued that the intervention was open to question because it came from such high office.
Green Party leader, Mr Trevor Sargent said the Taoiseach failed to recognise "the unethical dimension" of an intervention from his office rather than from a local intervention.
Fine Gael's environment spokesman, Mr Bernard Allen said the letter could be construed as a "form of intimidation".
Earlier today, Labour's environment spokesman, Mr Eamon Gilmore said the move was "unusual" and that he would be pursuing the matter.
The Taoiseach hit back this evening saying he was "saddened to see that the Opposition have sought to make a political football out of what was a compassionate gesture on behalf of a constituent".
The approach was made to Mr Ahern's clinic by the quarry owner's brother Mr Kevin Murray who lives in Glasnevin within Mr Ahern's Dublin Central constituency.
Senator Cyprian Brady was standing in for the Taoiseach at the clinic on November 10th last because Mr Ahern was away on Government business. Mr Brady was the signatory on the letter asking the local authority to "put on hold" its proceedings but Mr Ahern says he takes full responsibility for the representation.
Mr Murray had asked if Mr Ahern could assist in getting the council suspend its action over the family quarry at Scrine, Rahara until his brother had completed his chemotherapy treatment.