The Taoiseach has today categorically denied allegations that he took a briefcase of cash to Manchester in 1994, while finance minister.
Reports in two weekend newspapers claimed a former Garda driver told Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins in 2000 that he had witnessed the event.
Speaking at the launch of Fianna Fáil's pre-election economic policy today, Mr Ahern insisted: "I never took any money to Manchester in a case".
"Whatever money I took to Manchester was to get me an overnight in Manchester or to pay for my ticket - if I didn't get it for free - to see Manchester United play."
Mr Higgins alleged the driver told him he saw Mr Ahern's former partner Celia Larkin return from a central Dublin bank in 1994 to the state car with the briefcase.
Mr Higgins, who gave details of the allegation to the Mahon Tribunal (former Flood Tribunal), claimed the driver saw that the case contained cash and that the following day Mr Ahern was seen by the driver taking the briefcase through the VIP lounge of Dublin Airport and boarding a flight to Manchester.
It is understood that no action has been taken on the matter since the original accusations, and Fianna Fáil has accused Fine Gael of conducting a 'dirty tricks' campaign, ahead of the general election.
Commenting on the latest allegations, Minister for Health Mary Harney and former leader of coalition partners, the Progressive Democrats, questioned why the allegations did not come out at the last election.
Speaking at an engagement in Croke Park, she said: "Apparently Mr Kenny and Mr Higgins were aware of this information since 2000 - which is seven years ago.
"We had an election in 2002 and we had a debate on these matters in October in the Dáil and these issues were never mentioned.
"I have to say I find it extraordinary that yesterday, in these two newspapers, something that was in their possession for seven years would suddenly emerge on the eve of the election."
Last October it emerged that Mr Ahern accepted £8,000 cash from a whip-around by businessmen at a function in Manchester in 1994.