The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, is expected in Dublin Castle tomorrow afternoon for his long-awaited appearance before the Mahon tribunal.
Judge Alan Mahon invited Mr Ahern to appear following an application this morning by his lawyer, Mr Conor Maguire SC. According to the tribunal's website, he will give his testimony at 2.00 p.m. tomorrow.
The Taoiseach has been "on standby" to appear since the beginning of the year, as have two dozen other people. Mr Ahern is understood to be anxious to appear as soon as possible to answer allegations about his dealings with developer Mr Tom Gilmartin in 1989.
The tribunal heard today Mr Maguire asked last week that the Taoiseach not be called to appear until after the cross examination of Mr Gilmartin had finished.
Any further delays in his testimony could cause "serious problems", a government spokeswoman said yesterday. Mr Ahern will under be under pressure in May and June with EU and international commitments. He will also be embroiled in the local and European elections.
Yesterday, former cabinet minister Senator Mary O'Rourke said she was certain Mr Ahern and other Fianna Fáil ministers at the time met Mr Gilmartin in Leinster House in 1989.