The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, told the Dáil this evening that he was "very heartened" that up to 100,000 people marched for peace in Dublin on Saturday.
He said the marchers supported what he said was the view of every member of the Dáil, that there should be no war
He stressed, however, that the way to avoid a confrontation was for Saddam Hussein to comply with UN resolutions.
The Taoiseach was answering questions from opposition politicians including Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny, who asked him to say whether or not he supported unilateral action against Iraq without sanctions from the Security Council.
Meanwhile, the organisers of Saturday's anti-war protests in Ireland said today the campaign against war in Iraq would be escalated here and abroad.
The Irish Anti-War Movement estimated the turnout for the Dublin march at 150,000 and the turnout countrywide at 200,000.
Group spokesman Mr Richard Boyd-Barrett told a press conference this morning: "In terms of proportion of population, the Irish protest was the biggest worldwide".
Mr Roger Cole of the Peace & Neutrality Alliance said although Saturday's march had been organised by three groups - Irish Anti-War Movement, NGO Peace Alliance and Peace & Neutrality Alliance - it was "very much taken over by the people".
He also demanded an immediate meeting with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.
"People are saying no to war. People are saying no to the use of Shannon [Airport] for military purposes. The choice of the Irish people is that they don't want to die for Bush. Let Ahern [the Taoiseach] die for Bush if he wants," added Mr Cole.
A demonstration is to be held on Saturday, March 1st, at Shannon Airport in protest at the what the organisers describe as "the militarisation of the airport".
Mr Boyd-Barrett criticised the Government saying: "They are giving their vote of support to war in Iraq by allowing US military aircraft through Shannon".
In the event of an attack on Iraq Mr Boyd-Barrett said worldwide protests will take place on the night of the attack. There will also be a protest at noon the following day when people will be asked to walk out of their offices, factories, houses and schools for a 10-minute protest.