A specially convened meeting of the leadership of the Progressive Democrats this afternoon is expected to discuss the Taoiseach's financial affairs.
The move follows reports that the party has additional information about Bertie Ahern's personal finances which has cast their alliance with Fianna Fáil into doubt.
Senior members of the party, including leader and Tánaiste Michael McDowell, Minister for Health Mary Harney and Dublin South TD Liz O'Donnell, were in discussion yesterday over the information.
Mr McDowell refused to say whether he wishes the Taoiseach to issue a full statement clarifying issues surrounding his finances before deciding whether he would enter any new coalition government with Fianna Fáil.
Asked if he would seek clarification on any element of the issues raised about payments to Mr Ahern by businessman Micheál Wall in the 1990s before negotiating a new coalition agreement, the Tánaiste said: "There is material now coming into the public domain that changes the position. I believe that there are a number of things on which I would want to reflect. I don't want to say more than that at this stage."
His remarks were agreed in advance with Ms Harney and Ms McManus, before all three appeared together to launch the party's health proposals, the The Irish Timesreported today.
The PD leader's decision to express unease about Mr Ahern's replies to date came only in response to a second round of questioning and after Ms O'Donnell had said it was being raised on the doorstep by voters.
Mr Ahern has said a payment of £30,000 received in cash from Mr Wall in 1994 was for the purpose of refurbishing a house in Drumcondra that he was renting from the Manchester-based businessman. He said the funds were not for him and were administered by his then-partner, Celia Larkin.
A statement issued by the Taoiseach's office late last night read: "The Taoiseach has answered any of the relevant queries in the course of his ongoing co-operation with the Mahon tribunal.
"He believes the tribunal is the appropriate forum to deal with the detail of these matters."
Speaking in Longford yesterday, Mr Ahern said he believed Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats would form another alliance, despite Mr McDowell's comments, if it could get "the numbers".
He insisted that the only issue put to him during his meeting with tribunal lawyers concerned allegations that Cork property developer, Owen O'Callaghan had made payments to him to secure his support for Quarryvale, and not questions about his house.