The Taoiseach appears to be heading for conflict with antiabortion campaigners after saying he favours an abortion referendum but he can "understand" arguments in favour of limited abortion.
In an interview with the Examiner newspaper published on Saturday, Mr Ahern said he would like to see a referendum on abortion during the lifetime of the present Government, but said there would have to be a level of consensus on the matter first.
He then went on to imply he had some sympathy with arguments that in certain rare cases, abortion should be permitted. "I'd have to say that many of the cases put forward the other day by the Master of the Rotunda are ones that I clearly understand," he said.
This was a reference to statements made by the Master of the Rotunda, Dr Peter McKenna, 18 months ago and repeated last week that there were some rare cases where abortion was necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman.
He also said, according to the Examiner, that changes to the law could not be conditioned by the Catholic Church alone.
Mr Ahern's forthright comments could bring him into conflict with at least two of the Independents who support the Government in crucial Dail votes: Ms Mildred Fox and Mr Harry Blaney. Both have said they want a referendum to outlaw abortion altogether.
However, Mr Ahern in his interview implied he would consider legislating for very limited abortion, saying there would have to be a referendum before any legislation.
In the interview in the Examiner he would not commit himself to a referendum date, saying "people setting deadlines is always difficult . . . I'd rather not tie myself to an exact week or date."