Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today he intends to stay on in the role until 2012, despite growing Opposition calls for him to resign over revelations in the Mahon tribunal.
Speaking to Irish reporters during a visit to the Austrian capital Vienna, Mr Ahern said: "My mandate expires in 2012."
When asked if he intended to remain on as taoiseach until then, he replied: "That's when my mandate runs out."
Ireland's Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, delivers a speech during a meeting of the Permanent Council of the OSCE in Vienna
When reminded that he had previously signalled he would retire at the age of 60, Mr Ahern said: "I'm still 60 in 2012. You're not just 60 for a day."
Mr Ahern dismissed reports that Tánaiste Brian Cowen had been low-key or half-hearted in his defence of his party leader during Dáil exchanges as "Nonsense. Nonsense."
He said he was "totally" happy that he had the full support of the whole Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.
Mr Cowen today faced renewed attacks from the Opposition over his support for his beleaguered party leader. He insisted Mr Ahern was giving evidence to the Mahon tribunal "truthfully" and accused Fine Gael of conducting a witch-hunt.
Meanwhile, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin also defended Mr Ahern when asked in Dublin today whether he believed his account of his financial affairs.
"As far as I'm concerned, there's only one allegation out there against him and there's no substantive evidence has been proving in relation to that," Mr Martin said.
"I do believe what the Taoiseach is saying. He's putting everything he has to say to the tribunal. It's a matter for the tribunal themselves to decide."
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