The Taoiseach has warned that a future Government, including one led by him, would legislate for the X case in a move that would lead ultimately to "liberal abortion" unless the abortion referendum is carried next month.
Mr Ahern yesterday expressed strong personal opposition to "liberal abortion" but added: "I believe if this referendum is defeated that that's what we'll have.
"If it's defeated I think the next government whoever it is - if it's me - will have to go down the legislative route. It will be a totally legislative route, it will be away from the people, away from the Constitution and we'll go down the road of having to legislate for the suicide issue, which from experiences in other countries starts the road to liberal abortion.
"That's the fact; I'm opposed to that, but if the people vote the other way I have to take account of the people because the people are the masters on these issues, but I think it would be a terrible mistake."
His comments, in an interview with Eamon Dunphy on Today FM's Last Word programme, echo those made by former Taoiseach Mr Albert Reynolds during the 1992 campaign. Mr Reynolds warned then that he would legislate for the X case - allowing abortion in this country where a pregnant woman was at risk of suicide - if the referendum was defeated. However, neither he, nor any subsequent Taoiseach took this action.
Mr Ahern said some people thought it was "old fashioned" to talk about the right to life of the unborn.
"The right of the unborn is also a right and there are not too many people prepared to stand up for them. I am, whether its old fashioned or not, conservative or not," he declared.