Taxpayers' money should not be spent on EU-sponsored research into stem-cells taken from human embryos according to the Catholic Bishops of Ireland.
The bishops expressed their opinions on embryo stem cell research, euthanasia and the place of religion in the forthcoming EU constitution at a meeting between with the Taoiseach this afternoon.
Today's meeting was the first formal meeting between the State's senior Bishops and Mr Ahern at Government buildings.
Attending the meeting were Archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Desmond Connell, Dr Joseph Duffy Bishop of Clogher and Dr Patrick Walsh Bishop of Down and Connor.
According to a spokeswoman for the bishops, the range of issues discussed included concerns over embryo stem cell research, euthanasia and the place of religion in the forthcoming EU constitution.
The meeting was requested by the bishops.
It comes a couple of weeks after the European Commission proposed guidelines to allow EU funds be used for stem cell research on human embryos.
This type of research is currently, and will remain banned in this country. But objectors to the practice claim EU funds should not be used for practices that are illegal in some member-states.