The Government has said it agrees with the US on the need to intensify the fight against terrorism, but has declined to express a view on whether it believes Thursday's attacks on targets in Afghanistan and Sudan were justified.
A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman said it was not for the Government to say whether the attacks were justified.
"The US has stated that they have good evidence identifying those who perpetrated the embassy bombings, and evidence that these people were planning further acts," the spokesman said.
Ireland saw the fight against terrorism as a priority of EU foreign policy, particularly in the light of the Omagh bombing of last Saturday. The Government could understand the US concern on the issue, and would press at the UN for all possible steps to be taken to make those responsible accountable for their actions, he said.
Irish residents in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, stayed indoors yesterday in the wake of the bombing and are likely to do so again today, according to GOAL's field director there.
"We have to take the precautions necessary in these kind of situations, when there has been an act of aggression against a country in which you are the visitor," Ms Mary Hunt said.
Concern, which has four Irish people in Sudan, said it hoped the Government would urge the government in Khartoum to continue to allow relief agencies to operate.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was advising Irish people not to travel to Sudan or Afghanistan unless it was essential.
Ms Hunt said the Irish community in Khartoum, of about 10 people, was made up of relief workers, a businessman, a priest and nuns.
She had not heard the bombing on Thursday evening as it took place about 18 kilometres from where she had been meeting friends.
"The first we were aware of it was when we got a telephone call.
"We were shocked. Everybody was shocked. Nobody was expecting this," she said.
Yesterday foreigners had been waiting to see what might happen.
"We have been staying indoors basically all day today, and most other agencies and businesses and embassies are doing the same. We are just seeing how things develop and we will take stock again tomorrow. We will probably stay put tomorrow as well."
She feared demonstrations could impede GOAL's work. "If there are demonstrations we have to look after our programmes and our assets, ensure our staff are safe and that our vehicles are all safe. That could preclude us getting out to the other clinic. That decision will be taken this evening."
GOAL has several clinics in the greater Khartoum area.
Ms Hunt also feared GOAL volunteers would be unable to get to Wau in western Bahr el Ghazal, about four hours' flight away, because of the situation.
"I can't even begin to tell you how dire the need is down there. There are 70,000 walking skeletons. Seventy people a day die, mostly adults. It would be awfully sad if we can't get down there."
Concern is working away from Khartoum in southern Sudan. "We would have a concern that the government in Khartoum could retaliate by making the operations of the agencies more difficult," a spokeswoman said.