The Tanaiste, Brian Cowen, has said he does not accept that the Taoiseach's tenure as leader of Fianna Fáil has been shortened in any way by the events of the last two weeks.
Mr Cowen rejected FG leader Enda Kenny's claim that Bertie Ahern had lost the moral authority to lead the country.
He said the issue had been dealt with by the vote of confidence in the Dáil last week.
Earlier, the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern had said he intends to ignore the comments from Enda Kenny claiming he has lost the moral authority to govern and was unfit for office.
Speaking in Croke Park this morning, Mr Ahern said he had been listening to comments like this throughout his 30 years in politics.
He said as long as the other parties remained in Opposition and he continued doing the job of running the country he would be happy.
Mr Ahern also told journalists that tomorrow's Cabinet session focusing on crime was in preparation for a meeting with senior gardaí in the coming weeks which would allow ministers reflect their own views on the issue.
