The Taoiseach ruled out the Government intervening to save Bewley's cafés.
Mr Ahern said he accepted that Bewley's was an institution, but added that the "concept of the Government joining in to run Bewley's is not something we could seriously do or support".
He added that Bewley's was a commercial entity, and the premises would have a different life. "My thoughts are with the staff members, but it will not be Bewley's as we have known it," he added.
The Taoiseach was replying to the Green Party leader, Mr Trevor Sargent, who urged him to consider the possibility of the Government entering an arrangement to ensure the café could continue as a social amenity and viable business, given that it was an immense asset to the city and the State.
The Taoiseach, he added, should recognise the intrinsic value of the cafés.
"Bewley's is not only a café, but it is Dublin's 'front room', as one journalist described it," he added.
