The Taoiseach and Tánaiste held further talks today in a bid stabilise a Government rocked by a week of revelations about Mr Ahern's finances.
The Progressive Democrats leader was seeking a private guarantee from Mr Ahern that there will be no further issues that could fuel further controversy.
He also addressed new information relating to the Manchester dinner at which Mr Ahern received €12,000. The issue was further complicated this week when it emerged that Mr Ahern bought his house from Michael Wall, who attended the dinner.
The Irish Times
The meeting broke up at Government buildings after an hour and 20 minutes and there will be further discussions on Monday.
Mr McDowell yesterday said the Government had been damaged by the furore and has been repeatedly baited by the Opposition for failing to take a stronger line after claiming in the last general election campaign that the PDs would act as a Fianna Fáil watchdog.
But he said yesterday that Coalition had "the capacity to overcome the difficulties which were not of my creation, or my party's creation".
Senior figures in both parties presented a united front yesterday but PD TDs are privately worried about the damage to the party's electoral chances with a maximum of eight months before the next general election.
Mr Ahern and Mr McDowell attended a function in Dublin together last night. Mr McDowell told reporters the pair had "plenty of discussions" but Mr Ahern, who arrived separately, refused to comment.
However, speaking in Limerick earlier in the day, Mr Ahern said he would keep Mr McDowell fully briefed about any of the issues surrounding the controversy and expressed a wish for the Coalition to remain intact.
"We don't want any change ...We don't want this Government to break down," he said.
Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte last evening called for a general election describing the Government as a "sulk coalition ... where one partner does not trust or believe the other".
reports today that Mr McDowell is seeking a public apology from Mr Ahern for his failure to inform him about the circumstances of the house purchase.