Irish Green Party leader and environment minister John Gormley also called on Mr Ahern to make a statement.

BBC: Ministers' concern on Ahern money

Meanwhile, Mr Cowen and Green Party leader John Gormley are likely to launch the process of reviewing the programme for government.

BBC: No confidence motion before Dail

Micheal Martin's Fianna Fail and John Gormley's Greens - the outgoing coalition - are performing appallingly - blamed for the over-heated and under-regulated construction boom that brought such havoc on Ireland's economy and banking system.

BBC: Enda Kenny: The man who would be king