The Minister for the Marine, Mr Ahern, will press for action to stop four former US Navy vessels contaminated with toxic chemicals being dismantled in Britain when he meets EU Transport Commissioner Loyola de Palacio in Dublin tomorrow.
Mr Ahern will tell the Commissioner that the EU needs to get tough and safeguard against future convoys.
He said: "I believe the issue of the transfer of these old ships to Britain is not just simply a matter for the United States and Britain. It is a major issue for the EU."
Minister Ahern said the time had come to crack down on what he described as "absolute folly".
He added: "Transporting these vessels 4,000 miles on the high seas simply exposes countries such as Ireland to unnecessary risks."
Today the British High Court blocked any work being carried out on dismantling the so-called 'ghost ships'when they reach the Hartlepool ship yard until legal challenges against the plan have been heard.
Four ships due to dock for dismantling at Able UK's Hartlepool yard in mid-November. However, last week the British Environment Agency said a modified waste management licence allowing the work to go ahead was invalid throwing the completion of the contract into doubt.
British High Court Judge, Mr Justice Maurice Kay, decided the injunction should be granted until the week beginning December 8th.
The ship disposal company, Able UK, had fought the injunction, claiming that it would result in losses of £220,000 sterling a week.
Mr Justice Kay said the ships could dock until then but no work could take place "except for measures to make and keep them safe".