The Taoiseach has been told in no uncertain terms by three of the four Independent TDs propping up the Government that he will have to announce a new referendum on abortion by the end of the year in return for their continued support.
Senior Government sources are concerned that this could jeopardise the coalition.
The Independents have had various meetings with the Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, and other Government advisers recently to discuss their continued support for the coalition.
The Irish Times has learned that Independent deputies Ms Mildred Fox, Mr Harry Blaney and Mr Tom Gildea met the Taoiseach on June 21st specifically to discuss abortion. Ms Fox was the most vocal and said a Government decision was required.
Ms Fox said last night that Mr Ahern had "dilly-dallied" on abortion for long enough and it was now time to "bite the bullet" and say what he intended doing. If Mr Ahern did not announce a clearly worded referendum on abortion soon after the All-Party Committee on the Constitution reported on the matter in September, she would immediately withdraw her support.
The Donegal Independent TD, Mr Blaney, said yesterday that he would be considering his position unless the Government announced a referendum by the end of the year. Mr Gildea could not be contacted for comment.
The fourth Independent supporting the Government, Mr Jackie Healy-Rae, is believed to be waiting to see the committee's report before making a decision.
At the meeting with the Independents, Mr Ahern said he might refer the Constitution Committee report to the Cabinet sub-committee on abortion. However, Ms Fox said last night that she made it clear to the Taoiseach that she would not be happy with this. "This issue has been kicked around long enough by the Government. It is time to finally make a decision. The Taoiseach knows perfectly well what my views are. If there is no referendum, I will be withdrawing support."
When the Government took office a Cabinet sub-committee was established to steer the drawing up of a Green Paper on the issue. The paper was published by the then Minister for Health, Mr Cowen, last October. The Government then referred the Green Paper, which outlined seven options on abortion, to the All-Party Committee on the Constitution, which invited submissions.
The committee will tomorrow resume its public hearings into the matter, taking evidence from the main churches. It is due to report to the Government in September and is expected to narrow down the seven recommendations in the Green Paper to three or four.
A committee source said last night that it was always the understanding that when it reported, the Government would announce what it intended to do, and expressed surprise that it would go back to the Cabinet sub-committee on abortion.
A Government spokesman said that if the committee does not come to a clear recommendation, its report will have to be examined by the sub-committee.