The Taoiseach's admission that he was aware some months ago that Fianna Fáil TD Mr Michael Collins had "issues" with the Revenue Commissioners has added to the controversy over the Limerick TD's unpaid tax bill.
The leaders of Fine Gael, the Labour Party and the Green Party are now calling on Mr Ahern to answer a number of questions about his own action in relation to the affair.
Labour leader Mr Pat Rabbitte claimed today Mr Ahern's comment raised further issues about Fianna Fáil's treatment of tax cheats within its ranks. And Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny said the Taoiseach was sending "conflicting messages".
Green Party leader Mr Trevor Sargent said the Taoiseach's comment was an "an astounding admission".
Mr Kenny said: "Last Friday he [Mr Ahern] said all Fianna Fáil TDs had a tax clearance certificate and he had no knowledge of the detail of Deputy Collins settlement.
"Today he tells us that he knew of Deputy Collins' problems for some months and that he had made a settlement with the Revenue.
"This admission begs a number of very important questions."
Mr Rabbitte said Mr Ahern must explain why he did not call Mr Collins in to explain the circumstances of his dealings with Revenue Commissioners. He also questioned why an internal party investigation was begun only after Mr Collins' settlement was made public.
He compared the Taoiseach's treatment of the issue to his reaction to Fianna Fáil deputy Mr Denis Foley, after it emerged he was the holder of an undeclared Ansbacher account. Mr Foley was vice-chairman of the Oireachtas committee inquiring into the bogus accounts - and Mr Rabbitte also sat on the panel.
"On that occasion too the Taoiseach only became stirred into belated action when the mater became public," Mr Rabitte said.
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He also dismissed Mr Collins resignation of the party's parliamentary whip as "meaningless".
Mr Sargent echoed the Labour leader's concerns saying the Taoiseach must "release the full facts on the matter".
The Taoiseach must outline "who knew what and when and why he did not think the matter serious enough to askMr Collins to resign."
The Taoiseach's action was also questioned by the Tánaiste, Ms Harney earlier today when she said she would have expected a briefing about Mr Collins's situation prior to last Friday, when she was first made aware of the problem.
The Progressive Democrats chairman Mr John Minihan moved to distance his party from the controversy, saying it was Mr Collins's "personal responsibility" to decide if he should remain a TD.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said the same applied to Fianna Fáil TD Mr G. V. Wright who last week admitted to knocking down a woman while over the drink-driving limit.