The former president of the High Court, Mr Justice Declan Costello, "withdrew" as an inspector into the Ansbacher accounts three weeks ago on medical advice, the Taoiseach told the House. ail.
Thanking the judge for his work, Mr Ahern said it was regrettable that he had to withdraw and "we wish him a speedy and full return to health. He withdrew about three weeks back; it is not something that happened yesterday, as people may have been led to believe."
He was responding on the Order of Business to Labour's deputy leader, Mr Brendan Howlin, who asked if the Taoiseach or Tanaiste planned to make a statement "outlining the current position of the investigation, when it will conclude and the implications of the resignation of the chief investigator".
Mr Ahern said he was advised "the resignation has no significant implications for the inquiry. Mr Justice Costello was but one member, though an important one, of the three-man team of inspectors. The Tanaiste has already signalled her intention to make an application to the High Court before the end of the week to appoint a replacement."
Earlier Mr Joe Higgins (Socialist, Dublin West) was ruled out of order when he sought the adjournment of the Dail for a debate on the judge's resignation. He called for the Tanaiste to produce an interim report on the facts uncovered by the Ansbacher inquiry.