The Labour Party has demanded the Government states its position on the impending US-led attack on Iraq.
The party's foreign affairs spokesman, Mr Michael D. Higgins TD, described today's decision by the US and its allies to withdraw their resolution seeking UN Security Council authority for military as a "deadly blow".
"Does [the Taoiseach] stand with the United Nations and the principles of international law or is he going to give moral and practical support to a military operation outside of international law that has the potential to lead to disaster in the entire Middle East region?" Mr O'Higgins asked.
"The cowardly equivocation of Bertie Ahern and his government colleagues over the past few months has brought shame on the country," he said. "The voice of Ireland on international affairs - once proud, once strong, once genuinely independent - has been reduced to an impotent whimper."