Catholic Church leaders emerged from a meeting clearly unhappy with what they had heard from the Taoiseach, writes Arthur Beesley, Political Reporter.
Ireland's vote to support controversial EU guidelines for stem-cell research on human embryos was due to be cast at the EU Council of Ministers meeting by the Tánaiste, Ms Harney. However, Cardinal Desmond Connell and his bishop colleagues met the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, to express their concern about indications that the Government was preparing to back the regulations.
Disagreement among EU ministers meant that the European Commission proposals never went to a vote. Yet it is clear from an exchange of letters that followed the meeting on October 29th that the Catholic Church leaders were unhappy with what they had heard from Mr Ahern.
It is equally clear that Mr Ahern was unhappy with the Cardinal's public stance.
Released under the Freedom of Information Act, their correspondence affords a detailed insight into the church's repeated attempts to change the policy agreed by the Government. While most of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party was also set against the policy, the position was not changed.
Church leaders wrote to the Taoiseach twice following their meeting urging him to withdraw support for the guidelines, which they claimed would open the door to the use of EU funds for embryonic stem-cell research.
Mr Ahern responded by telling the Cardinal that he feared his position reflected "a widespread misunderstanding of the issue".
Despite such differences, the records also indicate that the discussions on euthanasia, human cloning and the inclusion of a reference to Europe's Christian heritage in the EU constitution proved much less contentious. The Government stance on each of these questions found broad favour with the church.
The meeting at which these sensitive issues were discussed was arranged after a church representative phoned Mr Ahern's office in Merrion Street. It was confirmed to the office of Archbishop Seán Brady a fortnight in advance.
Mr Ahern was accompanied to the meeting in Government Buildings by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, and the respective secretaries general in their Departments, Mr Dermot McCarthy and Mr Dermot Gallagher.
Cardinal Connell was accompanied by the Bishop of Down and Connor, Dr Patrick Walsh, and the Bishop of Clogher, Dr Joseph Duffy. Three priests also attended: Fathers Kevin Doran, Aidan O'Boyle and Martin Clarke.
The Government's minute says the church leaders regarded embryo stem-cell studies "as a matter of grave concern since it involved the fundamental ethical issue of the destruction of human life for the purposes of research".
"Their understanding was that Ireland was not prepared to oppose this proposal from the EU Commission, which they considered to be the equivalent of supporting it, which would be a matter of grave concern and disappointment to many, especially in the context of constitutional protection of human life."
Of the Government stance, the minute said Mr Ahern and Mr Cowen said the overriding objective was to ensure that funding would not be available for research in Ireland which was not compatible with Irish law and ethical guidelines.
"In the absence of agreement on guidelines, the moratorium would expire and a very uncertain situation regarding the availability of such funding would then arise. This was undesirable," the minute said.
Mr Ahern undertook at the meeting to continue liaising with the church leaders. But within days, the church renewed its efforts to change the policy.
Dr Duffy wrote on November 6th to Mr Ahern urging him to indicate to the EU Commission and the Italian presidency that the Government "is indeed opposed to the joint funding of research on human embryos and on embryonic stem cells".
He wrote: "The public impression is that the Irish Government is neutral on this matter, and the Irish delegation is understood to have made it clear on several occasions that it would not oppose the Commission proposal allowing for EU funding of destructive embryo research.
"As we indicated at our meeting with you, we believe that this is an issue so fundamental that neutrality is not an option."
There was no response to this letter. With the Council of Ministers meeting on November 26th approaching, Cardinal Connell sent a brief note to Mr Ahern on Friday, November 21st, enclosing a statement he planned to issue two days later. "I still hope for a good outcome," he said.
The statement contained a "personal appeal" to Mr Ahern and Ms Harney "to ensure that Ireland takes a prophetic stand in defence of human life by voting against this proposal".
Mr Ahern responded to the Cardinal on November 27th, stating that the point under consideration was not whether funds should be provided for stem-cell research.
"That is already part of the Sixth European Research Framework. What was for decision was whether there will be clear guidelines governing research for such projects," he wrote.
The Taoiseach went on: "I believe that failure to agree guidelines could open the door to a significantly less restrictive regime for research funding.
"It is hard to see how creating such an opening can be compatible with the ethical concerns expressed regarding the principle of embryonic stem-cell research."
He added: "A decision not to oppose the guidelines, equally, is not an expression of support for human embryonic stem-cell research.
"The decision to be taken is about whether other less restrictive guidelines will apply to research funding in countries where the legal and ethical frameworks permit such research."
The moratorium on the research lapses next week, just as Ireland assumes the presidency of the EU.
Ms Harney has said there is no hope of her being able to resolve the disagreement during the Irish presidency.