A commitment to build the National Stadium would be included in the Fianna Fáil election manifesto, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said yesterday.
He insisted his manifesto would be "equally categoric" as that of the the PDs, who have said they did not support the proposed Campus Stadium Ireland development at Abbottstown because it was too costly.
"I'll fight the election on the basis that this country does require improved sport facilities and that it does require not only a stadium but a campus for the development of sport into the future for this country."
Mr Ahern continued to refuse to be drawn on when he would call the election. Speculation in political circles centres on what day this week he will dissolve the Dáil since it is now accepted the election will be held on Friday, May 17th. "I'll make up my mind, I suppose, later on in the week, and we'll have to see when we go."
The Dáil resumes this afternoon and is due to sit tomorrow and Thursday. A Labour Party Private Member's Bill on "joyriding" will be debated. It includes measures to make the sale of so-called "company cars" (vehicles due to be scrapped) to those who are under age illegal.
The legislative programme scheduled for the Dáil this week is very light, as is the agenda for this morning's weekly Cabinet meeting. The main legislation to be dealt with is the Ombudsman for Children.
Mr Ahern said that from what he had seen of the PD manifesto he would have "no difficulty with it whatsoever".
However, there is a clear divergence on the issue of the stadium.
Mr Ahern was asked where the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, stood in relation to newspaper reports which claimed he said people who believed competing sports could be played at Lansdowne Road were "dimwits and eejits".
He said the state of the pitch at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday, when Ireland played the US, made him ashamed because it was like "the middle of a bog".
"I had the honour to stand there in about two foot of water where people were trying to play football. If you believe you can play soccer and rugby on an ongoing basis, and Gaelic as well, and ladies' football and camogie, all on one pitch, then I really do think you have to be a bit of a nitwit."
Meanwhile, Ms Harney said she would be "well disposed" to a coalition arrangement with Fine Gael and Labour if they could agree an economic platform. There were difficulties, however, with Labour's economic proposals and its plan to increase employers' PRSI.
She said she would not be giving party supporters any instructions about their voting preferences once they have voted PD. The party would encourage voters to vote for "like- minded" parties.