Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said he found the news that Mr Ahern was seeking a judicial review "very surprising" that he was "resorting to the High Court in an attempt to prevent a tribunal established by the Oireachtas from questioning him on matters of serious public importance."
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said he was 'surprised' by the Taoiseach's move
"Mr Ahern cannot have it both ways. He cannot tell the Dáil that all of the issues that have arisen surrounding his finances are matters for the tribunal and tell the tribunal at the same time that he is only answerable to the Dáil," Mr Gilmore added, in a statement.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny asked: "What is the Taoiseach hiding? What has he said in the Dáil that he can not now stand over and defend in the Mahon Tribunal?"
"It is simply astonishing that 10 days after the Dáil voted confidence in the Tribunal and 10 days before the Taoiseach is due back in as a witness that he should now attempt to frustrate and delay the work of the Tribunal once again.
"The Taoiseach cannot claim to be co-operating with the tribunal when he is trying to dictate to it what questions it can ask him," Mr Kenny said.