Conflicting stories from Ahern and Harney 'to have serious consequences'

The apparent conflict that has emerged between the Taoiseach and former Tánaiste Mary Harney in relation to the latter's prior knowledge of loans given to Mr Ahern is "the most serious crisis yet for the coalition partners", according to the Green Party chairman John Gormley TD.

"In former times Des O'Malley would immediately have called on the Fianna Fáil party to issue clarification and an apology," said Mr Gormley.