The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has told his parliamentary party that Fianna Fail members who face serious allegations of improper behaviour may be suspended from the party.
In what amounted to a rallying cry to his TDs and senators yesterday, Mr Ahern signalled that suspension was one form of censure that would be implemented in the new Code of Practice.
The new code will be brought to the parliamentary party for approval within weeks, and is expected to be passed by the national executive on March 4th.
However, according to sources, the new measure could not apply to any of the three Fianna Fail figures at the centre of the current political controversies - Mr Charles Haughey, Mr Ray Burke and Mr Padraig Flynn - because they are no longer members of the party. None holds any formal or honorary position in the party.
Following almost two weeks of anxiety in his party over the stability of the Government, Mr Ahern warned during a lengthy address yesterday that many people were digging for material that would topple the administration.
In what was interpreted by some TDs as a forewarning that danger may lie ahead, Mr Ahern he said information was being "fed" to the media in a highly organised way, with plenty of resources being spent on the project.
The Government Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, referred to the weekly allegations as "this Sunday morning disease" that was upsetting the work of the Government.
However, in spite of what may be unearthed, the Taoiseach indicated that he was satisfied none of the present parliamentary party would be involved. Ten investigations were being conducted by the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, and, as far as he was concerned, there were no questions to be answered by members of the Government.
The Taoiseach said he ran an "honest, clean Government". The current controversies involved past events and he would not allow them to cripple the Government.
"We do not know what the unknown future will bring, but the Taoiseach appeared quite happy that any allegations would refer to business interests rather than people in the parliamentary party," one TD said.
Much to the delight of his parliamentary party, the Taoiseach said the Government would go to its full term. He had held discussions with the Tanaiste in recent days and was optimistic that the Government was "back on track".
In an oblique reference to the Haughey era, Mr Ahern said that members of Cabinet in that time might have felt "forced" to do certain things. He did not elaborate, but the reference left TDs puzzled.
Mr Ahern also referred briefly to the loss of the Mayo TD, Ms Beverly Cooper-Flynn, who was expelled from the parliamentary party last week for voting against the Government. She continues to sit on the Government benches in the Dail chamber.
The Taoiseach received a sustained round of applause from his parliamentary party before leaving for a meeting in The Hague with the Dutch Prime Minister, Mr Wim Kok.