The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, will let his name go forward for the post of European Commission president, despite his repeated attempts to deny interest, some Fianna Fáil TDs believe.
Pointing to Mr Ahern's "relaxed demeanour" at Wednesday's parliamentary party meeting, one TD said: "I didn't think he wanted it, but I am changing my mind."
Cork East TD, Mr Ned O'Keeffe, when pressed, said: "I would love to see that made available to Ireland because it would give us great influence in the European Union." Mr Mark Killilea, a former MEP, who did not specifically mention Mr Ahern's name, said the European job should "be taken up" by any Irish politician offered it.
He said: "If such a prestigious post is possibly on offer, or might be taken by an Irish person, then it should be accepted.
"The only comparable post of which I can think is president of the United States, but in my opinion the presidency of the European Commission is as important a role.
"I would be unhappy that in some circles it is being treated with less than the seriousness that it deserves. In fact, the post should be treated in a non-political way and as a potential huge honour for any Irish person. This is an opportunity that will never be repeated," said Mr Killilea.
The issue of the Commission presidency is becoming a destabilising force inside the FF parliamentary party, as all sides attempt to gauge Mr Ahern's next move.
Some TDs were happy not to cause difficulties at Wednesday's parliamentary party meeting because promotions will be up for grabs in late September and because they believe there is "a possibility" that Mr Ahern might "not be around next week".
Yesterday, Mr Ahern held a number of one-to-one meetings with TDs, in line with his promise to listen privately to each of them over coming months.
Despite some media speculation, Mr Ahern did not tell the meeting that he would quit if they wanted him to do so. Instead, he said he was "up for the fight, if they were".
However, it is not clear what message FF TDs, senators and MEPs will deliver in their private conversations with him over coming days and weeks.
The Taoiseach met the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, before Wednesday's meeting, and Mr Cowen was by his side throughout.
Though nobody is talking about a leadership struggle, some of Mr Cowen's supporters believe that he would need several years "to be sold" to the Irish public.
The real difficulties for Mr Ahern will arise in September, when he will inevitably fail to meet the promotion ambitions of many of his parliamentary party.
Last night, the parliamentary party chairman, Mr Séamus Kirk, acknowledged there had been some criticism of Cabinet members.
Meanwhile, Mr O'Keeffe said: "I have been saying this for some months. A year ago, I flagged it again. We have neglected where our core vote comes from. That has been the poor and the marginalised in our society.
"I have always worked with the marginalised in our society ... Fianna Fáil has changed its direction without officially changing it. I often don't defend the Progressive Democrats, and neither do I defend Sinn Féin, but I have to say that there is no point in the [Fianna Fáil parliamentary party] blaming the PDs or SF ... I can't be blaming the PDs.
"It is the easy option and it reads well in my constituency and it reads well in the papers, but I have to be fair and I have to be realistic as well," Mr O'Keeffe said.
