The Taoiseach said he did not believe criticism by the European Commission of the Government's budgetary policy was motivated by jealousy.
Mr Ahern was replying to a question by the Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton. He replied he would not use the term "jealousy" to describe the Commission's position.
"I understand that it is the view of Pedro Solbes that the budgetary measures in the Irish economy have been - to use his own words, which he has used many times - excessively successful and that it might be good to lower the heat," he said.
"This will happen in any event."