The Government shared with EU states the view that UEFA should be asked to call off sporting links with Yugoslavia, the Minister for Justice said.

Mr O'Donoghue noted that the EU general affairs council had expressed disappointment that some major sporting events were still taking place and called on international sporting organisations, notably UEFA, to reconsider decisions which would permit such sporting fixtures.

Earlier in the day, he added, following a proposal by the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr McDaid, EU sports ministers, meeting in Germany, had reiterated the council's statement.

The Government had asked the Minister to bring this statement to the attention of UEFA, with particular reference to the Ireland-Yugoslavia game scheduled for Saturday.

"It is my hope that UEFA will make a response which is in line with the wishes of the council of ministers and the Government. If that does not happen, my colleagues and I will consider what further action to take."

Mr Brian O'Shea (Labour, Waterford) suggested that in view of the atrocities currently taking place in Yugoslavia, and in the context of the decision of the international war crimes tribunal last week on the Yugoslav leadership, it was totally and utterly unacceptable and untenable that the match go ahead.

Mr O'Donoghue said he agreed everybody deplored what was happening. "I again express the hope that UEFA will heed the strong call from the EU and the strong public feeling that there should be no sporting contacts with Yugoslavia because of the illegal and appalling actions of the Yugoslav regime against the people of Kosovo.

"We should give UEFA the opportunity to come into line on this. If it does not do so, my colleagues and I will immediately consider how to react."