The Catholic Bishops of Ireland have called on the Government to state publicly that it is opposed to joint EU-funding of research on human embryos and on embryonic stem-cells.
Following their meeting with Mr Ahern last month, a letter on behalf of the Bishops was sent to the Taoiseach last week. The letter, made public today, outlined the Bishops' concerns over the issue.
The letter states: "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.
"Notwithstanding the possibility (as yet unproven) of therapeutic benefits in the long term, it is our position that neither the deliberate destruction of human embryos, nor the use of embryonic stem-cells which would be obtained by means of such destruction, can be justified."
However, they bishops said they did approve of adult stem research.
"We asked the Government to take a lead in advocating that the EU should give significant research funding to adult stem-cell research," the letter continued.
Last month's meeting was the first formal meeting between the State's senior Bishops and Mr Ahern at Government buildings.
Earlier today, the Tanaiste Ms Mary Harny hinted she will vote in favour of regulations and controls to fund stem-cell research when the European Council of Ministers meets.
The European Union's Council of Ministers will vote on the issue on November 27th.