More Fianna Fáil backbenchers publicly endorsed Mr Ahern's leadership yesterday.
Deputies contacted by The Irish Times dismissed suggestions that there might be a heave against the Taoiseach and expressed bewilderment about reports of a secret meeting involving dissident colleagues in Dublin this week.
However, party sources insisted there was discontent among some backbenchers, relating to Mr Ahern's failure to opt for a major ministerial reshuffle, as he promised at a parliamentary party meeting shortly after the election, and the manner in which the Government has handled various controversies since taking office.
Mr Ahern has one more card to play with his backbenchers, which might explain why nobody has yet publicly challenged his leadership. Next week, he will appoint chairmen to various Oireacthas committees which carry extra allowances and the opportunity to gain a higher profile.
Dismissing any threat to Mr Ahern's leadership, Mr Donie Cassidy, Westmeath, said there was a lot of media hype about the issue.
"Bertie Ahern has been a unifying force within the parliamentary party. He is a consensus man and most generous with his time to party Oireachtas members. He is not into cronyism."
Asked about his handling of the Flood report's conclusions on Mr Ray Burke, he said: "If he said what the media wanted him to say, he could be accused of jeopardising any possible legal proceedings which might follow the report. This happened before when the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, made comments relating to Charles Haughey."
Mr John Ellis, Sligo-Leitrim, said: "I think, to put it mildly, some people are trying to create a storm which, in reality, does not exist. Those who think Mr Ahern's leadership is under threat are not living in the real political world.
"Every government, from time to time, has to take tough decisions on the economy."
Mr Billy Kelleher, Cork North Central, said that anybody talking about a threat to Mr Ahern's leadership was being mischievous and not helping Fianna Fáil.
On the fall-out from the Flood tribunal, he said: "It all happened a long time ago. The Taoiseach set up the tribunal and it has made its report. Anybody with further allegations should give the information to the tribunal and allow it do its work."
Mr Pat Carey, Dublin North West, said he believed Mr Ahern's leadership was safe. "While there might be mischief-making by some, I think his position is absolutely secure," he added.
"Some colleagues may be finding it difficult to sell unpalatable decisions to the public. If there is prudent management of the economy now, there will be a fast recovery at the resumption of economic growth."
