The Taoiseach has carefully avoided taking a public position on whether the Government would support a war on Iraq without a fresh UN mandate, promising only a "review" of policy if the US goes it alone.
As US aircraft carrying troops and firearms continued to refuel at Shannon Airport yesterday, Mr Ahern insisted this practice would continue with Government permission "until action takes place".
Responding to a barrage of Opposition criticism yesterday, Mr Ahern insisted that the US military was using Shannon in support of the UN resolution seeking Iraqi disarmament, and that this was entirely in accord with Ireland's international obligations.
In the event of unilateral US action, "we would have to revert to the House and the Government would have to make a decision", said Mr Ahern. "I hope it does not come to that, but we have put contingency arrangements in place".
Although Mr Ahern spoke of reviewing the situation and taking a decision, he gave no indication of what that decision might be in the event of a war without a fresh UN sanction. "We will have to consider the position at that stage".
He said the Government would prefer to see a second UN resolution after the UN inspectors reported. "Whatever happens from that point will be based on the report and its contents."
The Government's preference is that the issue be "dealt with successfully without military action, but that is in the hands of the Iraqi authorities". Mr Ahern's guarded responses yesterday reflect acute Cabinet concern to be seen to uphold the UN's right to make decisions on war, while remaining supportive of the US.
In a Dáil speech last night, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, stressed the friendship between Ireland and the US and the value of American investment in Ireland. He said a "review" and "debate" over the use of Shannon would be required in the event of a unilateral US war.
He made his comments in a speech rejecting a motion calling for the withdrawal from US military of the right to use Shannon. Independent deputies Mr Tony Gregory, Mr Joe Higgins and Mr Finian McGrath spoke strongly in support of the motion.
Conor O'Clery adds: The US yesterday offered exile to President Saddam Hussein as a way out of the crisis over disarmament, with the US acting as travel agent to find a place for the Iraqi leader, his close aides and his family.
The US Secretary Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, told reporters "that would be one way to try to avoid war", but that it would be up to Washington to decide whether the Iraqi leader should be granted immunity from prosecution as a war criminal.