The Taoiseach has said there is no rift between the Coalition partners over controversial plans for a national stadium.
Speaking in Dublin, Mr Ahern said he remained committed to the project. This is despite increasing pressure from some Fianna Fáil backbenchers and members of the Progressive Democrats.
Opponents of Mr Ahern's plan for a €400 million complex in Abbottstown want it scrapped in favour of a scaled-down version in the city centre.
It is thought the building of the larger stadium in Abbottstown would be politically difficult given the current pressure on public finances, including cutbacks in the health sector.
But Mr Ahern said today that Croke Park would not have been built 100 years ago if people adopted this attitude. He also said he was harshly criticised in 1992 when he gave public funding to the GAA for Croke Park.
The PDs are strongly opposed to the Abbottstown plan, and the party is sticking to its preferred option of developing Lansdowne Road and opening up Croke Park to more sporting events.
The Cabinet must make on decision on the project before a visit next Monday by UEFA officials to assess Ireland's bid to co-host the 2008 European Soccer Championships with Scotland.
The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, are expected to discuss the plans at a meeting tomorrow morning, ahead of a full cabinet meeting.
