The Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny has called on the Taoiseach to rule out Irish support for a unilateral attack on Iraq, saying the weekend anti-war demonstration showed there is huge public opposition to such a move.
He said Mr Ahern's refusal to rule out supporting a US attack which did not have new UN authorisation was undermining Ireland's traditional support for the UN. "It is allowing Ireland's stance to be interpreted as accepting that the 'serious consequences' referred to in Resolution 1441 could include unilateral action."
Mr Kenny restated Fine Gael's position that any action against Iraq should only be taken after a further UN resolution authorising it. "Fine Gael's support for the UN is a matter of principle and not a matter of convenience," he said.
"If the Taoiseach adopts the same approach, he should make it clear that his Government does not and will not support unilateral action." He said there was agreement across the political spectrum that Resolution 1441 did not provide authorisation for military action.
"If we are to preserve the legitimacy of the United Nations, a second resolution is necessary. In those circumstances it is incredible that the Taoiseach cannot make the simple statement that Ireland will not support unilateral action".
Meanwhile, the Green Party MEP Ms Patricia McKenna was among a group of MEPs who met the Greek deputy foreign minister yesterday to press the case against war.
"I find it incredible that I am in Brussels today calling on our own Taoiseach to follow the example of France and Germany," Ms McKenna said in a statement.
She said Austria, another neutral EU member-state, had recently announced that it would close its borders to US troops passing through from Germany to Italy. "The US military Shannon stopover facility must be withdrawn immediately," she added.