Reports that the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, "strongly rebuked" the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, because of his comments on the Nice referendum have been denied.
A spokeswoman for Mr McCreevy expressed surprise yesterday at reports in Sunday newspapers that suggested the Minister had received something of a tongue-lashing from the Taoiseach last Thursday.
It had been, she said, more in the nature of an exchange of views than a dressing down.
Last night, Mr Ahern declined to comment on the basis that the conversation had been private.
