Minister for Finance Brian Cowen has said that Bertie Ahern is not a liability after an opinion poll found the Taoiseach has a lower satisfaction rating than Enda Kenny for the first time.
Mr Ahern's rating dropped by 3% while Mr Kenny's rating only dropped by 1% in the tns/MRBI poll.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's News at One, Mr Cowen said given the serious issues facing the country, the Taoiseach's leadership skills were as much in demand now as they ever were.
When questioned about the rise in his own popularity as a successor to Mr Ahern, Brian Cowen said he was not interested in such figures.
He said he worked for the Taoiseach and with colleagues in a three-party Government.
Mr Cowen said the Opposition parties had launched sustained attacks in the run-up to this latest opinion poll, but still their support levels did not peak.
He said politics is about issues, about making sure people get to work and that their families are ok.
The tns/MRBI poll in this morning's Irish Times shows an increase in the number of people who do not believe the Taoiseach has fully explained his financial affairs to the Mahon Tribunal.
Asked if they thought the Taoiseach had given full information on his financial affairs to the tribunal, 78% said 'No', an increase of six points, while 14% thought he had and 8% did not know.
Fianna Fáil support is up one point to 34% since its very poor performance in the last tns/MRBI poll in October.
Mr Ahern's satisfaction rating has fallen three points to 40%. And while satisfaction with Mr Kenny is down one point, that leaves him with 41% - the first time he has led Mr Ahern in this poll.
Fine Gael retains the 31% support they received in the last poll. The main mover in the poll is support for the Labour Party, which is down 3% to 12%.
The Green Party is on 6%, Sinn Féin has 8% and the PDs are at 3%, all up one, while the Independents and others option has drop 1% to 6%.
