The former Taoiseach, Mr Charles Haughey, who is battling prostate cancer, was still receiving hospital treatment last night.
He was admitted to the Bon Secours Hospital in Glasnevin, Dublin, last Monday for what a friend said was a 10-day course of scheduled treatment. The hospital declined to comment last night on his condition.
Speculation about Mr Haughey's state of health intensified when he did not attend the funeral last week of Mrs Breda Mara, wife of his friend, Mr P.J. Mara.
Although he is thought to have weakened in recent months, associates stressed he was not in immediate danger.