Tanaiste Mary Harney has said that the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was "left in a no-win situation" over the Celia Larkin controversy.
Earlier, her PD colleague Liz O'Donnell said it was "a bit rich" for the Catholic Church to be unhappy with Ms Larkin's presence at this week's reception for the Cardinal of Dublin, given the Church's failure to deal with paedophile priests.
However, the Tanaiste added that it was now time for the controversy to be left in the past.