Minister for the Environment, Alan Kelly, has denied reports that he was offered a Budget deal on rent certainty.
The Irish Independent claims Minister Kelly was offered a package which would have assisted low-income families in receipt of rent supplement, but rejected it.
Speaking in Athy, Mr Kelly insisted that there had been no such offer.
He said that pre-Budget negotiations had taken place, adding that all that could have been done in the Budget had been done.
The minister said there were currently "incredible pressures" on the rental market, but said that he, as minister, could not act on the issue alone.
He said that further discussions would be held tomorrow.
Minister Kelly also suggested that negative commentary in relation to his stance on rent certainty was caused by "some people playing political games anonymously".
He said reports of criticism he had made to the Sunday Independent in relation to the Central Bank had also been exaggerated.
He said he was happy with the bank's role as regulator, but said he believed its new mortgage rules "needed to be tweaked".
