Revelations of an affair between Mr Charles Haughey and gossip columnist Ms Terry Keane will have no impact on the forthcoming European Parliament and local government elections, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has said.

Asked yesterday about the political implications, if any, of the affair, Mr Ahern said he did not believe there were any.

These matters were "very much personal and private," he said.

The public also "understood" that the work of the tribunals covered the past three decades and had "no relevance" as far as the elections were concerned. The issues concerning the electorate involved "education for their kids", housing, roads, and the economy.

Sources close to the Haughey family said there had been no time to consider the controversy because one of Mr Conor Haughey's children had become seriously ill.

Four-month-old Joseph Haughey was taken off the critical list at Temple Street Hospital only yesterday after being admitted with viral meningitis on Sunday, the sources said.