The Government is expected to allow the United States to continue using Shannon Airport and Irish airspace and will defend its decision by emphasising our economic and political links to Washington.
Despite doubts among Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats TDs on the issue, there is no evidence so far that any of them will fail to toe the Government's line in tomorrow's Dáil debate.
The wording of the Dáil motion will not be finalised until today's Cabinet meeting at 1.30 p.m., though sources indicate the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has consulted ministerial colleagues and some backbenchers already.
The motion, which is being prepared by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, will regret the failure of the United Nations to reach a common position on the crisis.
The Government last night advised Irish citizens in Iraq to leave "immediately", while those stationed in Kuwait were told to quit "as quickly as possible". Irish citizens living in Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan and Yemen were told to consider leaving unless they see their presence as essential.
The Opposition will strongly oppose the Government's intention to limit tomorrow's debate on the Iraqi crisis to just six hours.
In addition, the Opposition will focus their attention on the legal basis being used by the Government to justify the provision of services at Shannon to the United States.
Government ministers still abroad on St Patrick's Day duties were hurrying back to Ireland last night, though the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, is not expected back until tomorrow afternoon.
The Government's motion is expected to face a united Opposition front, bar some Independent TDs, when put to a vote tomorrow afternoon. Though Fine Gael is waiting to see the final wording of the motion, the party leader, Mr Enda Kenny, has made it clear that Shannon should not be made available without a second UN resolution.
Given that the facilities have been available to the US for decades, the Government does not have to make a positive decision in favour of their continued availability. None of the Fianna Fáil TDs spoken to by The Irish Times yesterday indicated they would oppose a Dáil motion.
"Much as I dislike it, I have said that when push comes to shove I will support the Government's motion," the Fianna Fáil Dublin North West TD, Mr Pat Carey, commented.
Former Progressive Democrat minister of state for foreign affairs, Ms Liz O'Donnell, said she had reservations about Shannon.
"My gut feeling is that some gesture of disapproval, or at least lack of approval, should be made by Ireland, whether or not that requires the total withdrawal of facilities," she said.
Labour TD Mr Michael D Higgins said the Taoiseach's decision to talk about "regime change" when he spoke in Washington last week indicated Mr Ahern's "tacit agreement" with the US .