The Government will again express its concern about aspects of American foreign policy at the meeting with President Bush this weekend, the Minister for Foreign Affairs told the Dáil.
Mr Cowen said that the Government had made known its concern about the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay and in Iraq, including directly to US authorities at the highest levels.
"The Dromoland summit will provide further opportunities to bring our distinguished visitor's attention to the significant concern felt in Ireland on those matters."
The Minister said that there were important international issues of concern to both the EU and US. "The situation in both Iraq and Afghanistan will be the subject of full and frank discussions. While there will continue to be differences of view, and even points of disagreement about specific issues between the US and the Union, it is important that these matters are addressed openly and frankly."
Mr Ruairí Quinn said that "full and frank exchange of views" was a diplomatic phrase for friends telling other friends the truth and not holding back, for fear of offence, on facts that needed to be heard.
He asked if Mr Cowen would be forcefully telling the Americans that if any other country were treating prisoners in Guantanamo Bay in that manner, they would be brought before the International Criminal Court. "Does the Minister propose to recommend that the United States recognise the International Criminal Court and will he formally ask it to do so?"
Mr Cowen said there was an issue of difference between the EU and the United States regarding the International Criminal Court. "There has been no change of policy on either side in that regard. We seek to promote the International Criminal Court in all international fora."
Regarding prisoners, Mr Cowen said it was a matter of record that the EU had spoken repeatedly on those matters and had raised them in meetings with the United States. "In clear language, we have strongly and publicly condemned any instances of abuse and degradation of prisoners in Iraq as contrary to international law, including the Geneva Convention."
Fine Gael spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr Gay Mitchell, said he realised it was an EU-US summit, but time should be found for bilateral issues to be raised, involving not just the Taoiseach, but leaders of the other parties.
"They have serious concerns about these issues, but not all want to march on the streets. However, there are concerns about the authority for the invasion of Iraq and how the situation is being handled."
Mr Cowen said that the inclusion of the other party leaders could not be incorporated into the summit meeting.
