The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, has strongly hinted that Ireland believes any military action against Iraq must be decided by the UN Security Council.
When the permanent representative to the UN, Mr Richard Ryan, this evening delivers Ireland's position on a resolution requiring Iraq to allow weapons inspectors return, he will say a decision on taking military action in the event of Iraqi non-compliance should rest with the Security Council.
While Mr Cowen was adamant that Ireland was not allying itself to the position of any particular country, this afternoon's comment indicates Ireland does not support the US position.
Mr Cowen said Irish policy was "not dependent on other people's position." "We have a view on this, we are stating it and I believe that it is important that arising out of this debate we try to build unity at the Security Council around the resolution that will meet the requirements of the situation."
The US want to reserve the right to decide on whether Iraq has defied the UN resolution and to decide on whether military action should follow.
The French argue that an attack on Iraq requires a second resolution and that a decision on whether Iraq is complying with the first resolution rest with the Security Council.
Mr Cowen today said if Iraq defies the forthcoming resolution(s), "the Security Council will have to discharge its responsibilities". "Let's hope that the work that is ongoing and continuing will bring about the necessary response from Iraq that will enable the Security Council resolutions to be complied with, without any need for the Security Council to consider - as a last reort, as it is entitled to under international law - the prospect of military action taking place," he added.
The Minister said Ireland would this evening outline "our traditional commitment to international law [and] the primacy of the United Nations".
"Tonight's debate is a prelude to a resolution being tabled in the coming days," he added.
He rejected the suggestion that Ireland was allying itself to the French position in opposition to the more aggressive US position. "Our objective, and that of the Secretary General of the UN and others, is to try in every way we can to provide a political and diplomatic solution to this problem, he said, adding: "we are prepared to look at any resolution on its merits."