The Government last night attempted to play down remarks by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, in which he appeared to make light of working in the black economy.
A Government spokeswoman said Mr Ahern had told a social gathering in Portmarnock, Co Dublin, that he had to work on odd jobs when a student. He indicated this work was not taxed.
The spokeswoman described the comments as anecdotal and said they were intended to be humorous. "He was trying to be funny and entertaining. He was not condoning working in the black economy."
She said Mr Ahern was explaining how he had had to subsidise himself when younger.
She added that Mr Ahern had also made general remarks about the property market. In the course of these comments, he noted to the attendance that he could not afford the deposit to purchase a house in Portmarnock when seeking to buy his first property.
The Taoiseach's remarks were made at a celebration on Wednesday night to mark the 21st anniversary of Portmarnock Sports and Leisure Club. He went to the function after attending the Ireland-Georgia soccer match at Lansdowne Road.
The spokeswoman was responding to queries after rumours circulated in Leinster House that a story about Mr Ahern's remarks would appear in the weekend media.