The Kerry South Independent TD, Mr Jackie Healy-Rae, has said he never asked the Taoiseach for a referendum on abortion.
In fact, he added, he had advised Mr Ahern to postpone both the Nice Treaty referendum and the abortion referendum until after the general election: "I never lobbied the Taoiseach to have an abortion referendum. I got no commitment and I never lobbied for it," Mr Healy-Rae said yesterday.
Next Wednesday's referendum was actually becoming confused with the general election, he said.
"In a rural constituency like Kerry South, there's awful confusion. Now if we go out asking for a vote, people don't know if it's the general election or the abortion referendum. Some people think the general election is on next week."
Mr Healy-Rae said he would vote Yes, and would support the Government. He will not, however, be canvassing or sending out leaflets: "I am voting Yes and I am leaving the people to make up their own minds," he said.
When it became clear just how confused the issue was some weeks ago, Mr Healy-Rae asked the Taoiseach to postpone the referendum until after the general election.
"I asked the Taoiseach to hold back. And if he listened to me before he wouldn't have lost the Nice Treaty," he said.