The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, has strongly denied that he is defying the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, over his plans for the Cabinet reshuffle.
Speaking on RTÉ's Prime Time, Mr Smith declared his loyalty repeatedly to the Taoiseach and said he would serve the Government in Cabinet, or from the backbenches.
"I love my work. But it is a matter entirely for An Taoiseach. I am not defying him, I'm not threatening him. I am not challenging him. It is just preposterous to think that I should," said the Tipperary North TD, who blamed the media for much of the controversy.
Last month, sources close to the Minister, speaking with his approval, made clear that he would not follow the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh into voluntary retirement. Last night, however, Mr Smith denied that he had orchestrated any such actions.
The declarations provoked astonishment amongst some Fianna Fáil colleagues, while others have been happy to exploit the controversy to weaken Mr Smith's position.
The Minister's decision to go on television will be seen as clear evidence that he is both deeply worried and concerned that last month's PR effort has badly back-fired. Clearly agitated, Mr Smith said that neither Mr Ahern nor anyone else had told him that he would be sacked later this month: "I have no problem. The Taoiseach has his constitutional position and unquestionably he will decide who he wants to have in the cabinet. I have no say in that, absolutely no say what so ever, and I will accept and respect whatever decision he takes.
"It has been a privilege to serve and I will continue the serve the Taoiseach, the Government and the country from the backbenches (if removed)."
Significantly, however, he sidestepped a question about whether he would be prepared to serve as a Minister of State if Mr Ahern so decided.
Mr Smith strongly rejected that he or anyone acting on his behalf said to the media that if Mr Ahern wants him to go, he would have to "take me out".
"There were matters in the print media that were attributed to me which I never said, or I gave authority to anyone to speak on my behalf."