The Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Brian Cowen TD has said force should be the method of last resort and signalled that Ireland would want to see weapons inspectors return to the security Council with any complaints before force was used.
Speaking in London where he held talks with the British foreign secretary Jack Straw MP, Mr Cowen said a clear mandate had to be set for the inspectors that would ensure that they do their business "in an unfettered way and with integrity and without impediment."
He also said if the Iraqis refused to co-operate or comply with the resolution that the inspectors would report to the Security Council which would then take "whatever decisions are necessary."
Mr Cowen added: "Obviously from our point of view we see force being a matter of last resort."
Divisions among the five permanent members of the Security Council are said to focus on whether a resolution should provide authorisation for military action if its conditions are not met.
Ireland is currently a member of the Security Council.