Minister for the Environment John Gormley has joined Health Minister Mary Harney in calling for the Taoiseach to make a statement on evidence given at the Mahon tribunal last week.
In an address to county councillors in Co Meath today, Green Party leader Mr Gormley said it was clear that evidence given by the Mr Ahern's former secretary Gráinne Carruth gave rise to serious issues which need to be clarified.
"There is evidence of growing public interest in this issue, and there are concerns. More information from the Taoiseach would help here," he said.
Earlier, Ms Harney called on Mr Ahern to break his silence over Ms Carruth's testimony regarding sterling lodgments to the Taoiseach's Irish Permanent account in 1994.
Speaking to reporters in Dublin this morning, the former Progressive Democrats leader said the Taoiseach was the only person who could dispel public rumours following Ms Carruth's evidence. "What I am saying is that the public disquiet has to be dispelled, and that is a matter for the Taoiseach, and only the Taoiseach can dispel that public disquiet", she said.
"I am not being specific as to what the Taoiseach should actually do. That is a matter for the Taoiseach." "I am simply saying there is considerable public disquiet as a result of Gráinne Carruth's evidence last week, and that public disquiet needs to be dispelled quickly," Ms Harney said.
However, she said she still had confidence in the Taoiseach.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said the comments by the Ministers represented "the first cracks in the wall of silence which the Government has attempted to impose on the glaring contradictions and inconsistencies that have emerged at the tribunal regarding the Taoiseach’s financial affairs".
Mr Gilmore accused Ms Harney of understating the seriousness of the situation when she referred to "public disquiet" about Mr Ahern’s finances.
"The reality is that, particularly in the aftermath of last week’s disclosures, the country is now being swept by a tide of public scepticism and disbelief that has not only robbed the Taoiseach of all political credibility and authority but is also seriously undermining the capacity of the government to deal with our mounting social and economic problems," he said.
Fine Gael's Environment spokesperson Phil Hogan said that Ms Harney and Mr Gormley had finally emerged from their self imposed Tribunal hibernation to express their disquiet.
"However, notwithstanding this self imposed hibernation on the issues that are paralyzing this government and rendering it incapable of managing the economy sensibly, delivering health services promptly and leading the changes that so many areas of our public service require, it is significant that both Junior Party leaders have found their voice on this issue," said Mr Hogan.
Ms Harney and Mr Gormley's comments marked the first time members of the Cabinet have publicly called on Mr Ahern to respond to the latest tribunal revelations. Mr Gormley did insist that the Tribunal must be allowed get on with its work, however.
"We have always insisted - including during two key Dáil debates - on full Government support for the tribunal's work. As I have said on numerous occasions, the issue is a distraction from the business of good government, said Mr Gormley
"This is – as it has always been - primarily an issue for Mr Ahern, his lawyers, and the Mahon tribunal. It is also a matter for Fianna Fáil."
Yesterday, Progressive Democrats Senator Fiona O'Malley claimed the credibility of the Government was being undermined by the contradictions surrounding the Taoiseach's tribunal evidence.