A spokesperson for the Taoiseach has dismissed as "rubbish" a Sunday newspaper report that his relationship with his partner, Ms Celia Larkin, had "changed".
The Sunday Independent claimed yesterday that Mr Ahern approached one of its reporters at a function on Saturday to clear up speculation which had been upsetting him about his relationship with Ms Larkin.
On the one hand, the story quoted the Taoiseach as saying his long-standing relationship with Ms Larkin had taken a different phase since the general election, with their social timetables changing. On the other hand, the story quoted the Taoiseach as saying they were still together.
When contacted yesterday, a Government spokesperson said the Taoiseach had no comment to make on the report.
"The story in a Sunday newspaper is rubbish", the spokesperson said.
Asked about the seemingly contradictory report after attending the National Day of Commemoration in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham yesterday, Mr Ahern said: "There is no confusion."
Sources close to the Taoiseach said last night that he and Ms Larkin will attend the Galway Races together and will also holiday in Kerry later in the summer.