The Taoiseach is determined to hold an abortion referendum and is having regular consultations with anti-abortion campaigners on the issue, a spokesman for Mr Ahern said yesterday.
However, with the Cabinet sub-committee on the issue close to finalising its deliberations, there is still no indication as to whether a referendum will be held before the general election expected next year.
A decision to hold another abortion poll could now be taken very quickly, with the subcommittee believed to need just one more meeting to agree a position to put to Cabinet. The Government could then decide within weeks on a referendum which could be held late this year or in early 2002.
However, Mr Ahern is playing his cards close to his chest on the issue of timing. Last July he played down speculation about an early referendum, outlining a series of hurdles that had to be overcome before a referendum could take place.
He spoke of the need for further meetings, consultations and long discussions, causing speculation that there might be no abortion referendum before the next general election.
However, some sources close to Mr Ahern suggested his remarks were designed to prevent a full-scale abortion debate beginning until he was sure he had the approval of antiabortion campaigners, the main churches, the four pro-Government Independent deputies and his own backbenchers for his proposed course.
They said he might hold a pre-election referendum once he had privately ensured his proposal would not be opposed by the anti-abortion lobby, the churches or the medical profession.
One of the pro-Government Independent deputies, Ms Mildred Fox, said yesterday she was concerned at the "conflicting viewpoints" before the summer from the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, concerning the timing of a poll. "In July the Minister for Health said the Cabinet subcommittee would be ready to report to Cabinet within a month, but the Taoiseach said he didn't know when it would be ready. I am hopeful that it will be ready to report to the full Cabinet when we return [to the Dail]," she said.
A spokesman for Mr Ahern could give no indication yesterday about the timing of a poll, but said: "The Taoiseach's personal position remains that this is an issue of such magnitude and such public importance that the public would have to be given a say on it and would have to see the detail of any legislation in advance."
In 1997 Mr Ahern outlined his favoured course: the publication of legislation allowing for abortion only where a pregnancy threatened the life of the mother, but not when suicide was threatened. The legislation would be followed by a referendum on the proposal.
The ongoing contacts with the churches and anti-abortion groups is designed to ensure they support this approach. There is also speculation that tomorrow's meeting of the Medical Council may move towards a compromise position on the issue which would be close to this stance. The council has been deeply divided in recent months over its abortion guidelines. Its falling into line behind what is believed to be the Taoiseach's preferred position would reduce the prospect of a divisive referendum campaign.
The Progressive Democrats have expressed doubts about the wisdom of another referendum, saying they do not want yet another divisive debate on the issue. However, Mr Ahern has said his lengthy round of consultations is designed to avoid a divisive campaign.