A statement on the content of the article concerning Bertie Ahern's finances on page 1 was sought from a spokeswoman for Fianna Fáil at 4.20pm yesterday. The following statement was received at 10.50pm.
"The Taoiseach has answered any of the relevant queries in the course of his ongoing co-operation with the Mahon tribunal.
"The Taoiseach's position is that he was not involved in any dollar lodgement.
"In relation to the lodgement of about £24,000, the Taoiseach's position is that was a lodgement of a combination of Irish pounds and sterling as the Taoiseach has previously described.
"The Taoiseach's position in relation to other matters is as previously stated.
"He believes the tribunal is the appropriate forum to deal with the detail of these matters.
"The tribunal has made an independent decision to adjourn until after the election. We have to respect that.
"We have already expressed our concerns to The Irish Times, that confidential information has been carefully and selectively leaked to the media in a way that has been designed to damage the Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil politically.
"Such leaking is subversive and undermines the privilege we attach to the status of the tribunals established by the elected representatives of the Irish people."