The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has instructed Ministers to listen more closely to backbenchers following the battering the party has taken in recent weeks over the O'Flaherty controversy.
Mr Ahern told TDs and senators at a packed parliamentary party meeting yesterday that the Government would not be changing its mind on the decision to nominate Mr O'Flaherty to the European Investment Bank. He said it was now time to "move on".
In a 15-minute address to the parliamentary party Mr Ahern echoed the concerns of TDs and senators that Fianna Fail was failing to get its message across on the positive things which were occurring, particularly in relation to the economy and Northern Ireland.
Answering complaints from a number of backbenchers who told the meeting that they were being ignored by Ministers, Mr Ahern invited TDs to consult him privately and say which Ministers they were unhappy with.
He said that every Minister should be available for the weekly parliamentary party meetings unless they had pressing engagements. He always had these meetings entered in his diary.
The Taoiseach said that the party had to recover from the O'Flaherty controversy. He told the meeting that the Government would meet tomorrow's Dail motion of no confidence "head on". He said he was not going to the country and would not be pushed by the media. The party would remain in government for another two years.
Sixteen members of the parliamentary party spoke yesterday on the O'Flaherty controversy while another five expressed concern over the party's performance in the Tipperary South by-election.
While the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, spoke on the Finance Bill, he made no contribution on the O'Flaherty controversy.
Five of the 16 who spoke on the O'Flaherty controversy opposed the nomination. They included Mr John McGuinness, Ms Marian McGennis, Mr Billy Kelleher and Mr Dick Roche, However, nobody went as far as suggesting that the Government should reverse the decision.
Those who spoke against the decision stated that it had caused huge damage to the party and to the Government.
The first TD to speak was Mr John McGuinness, who said he was in effect being snubbed by Ministers. He wanted answers from Ministers and said that things would have to change.
Mr Conor Lenihan, the Dublin South West TD, said that half of the Cabinet should be sacked. He maintained that backbenchers were often ignored by Ministers.
Mr Michael O'Kennedy, the Tipperary North TD, pointed out that he had been a parliamentarian for 35 years and urged party members not to run to the media with their problems. However, he felt TDs would not be talking to the media if they were being listened to by the party.
Mr Ben Briscoe also urged his colleagues not to run to the media. He described Mr Hugh O'Flaherty and his wife as "wonderful people".
The party chairman, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, spoke of the importance of the party sticking together.
After the meeting, several TDs said they were happy with the frank exchange of views and felt the air had been cleared.