The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern called for a multi-layered response to last week's atrocities in New York and Washington DC, at yesterday's special sitting of the Dβil.
"The US is a country governed by laws, respect for human rights and a passionate belief in all the values that we and the rest of the civilised world also hold dear," he said. As President Bush and his advisers tried to decide what to do, he was confident they would strive to uphold those important principles.
The temptation to immediately "lash out with all available military might" had been resisted. He was certain the US would wish to avoid civilian casualties that might compound an already difficult problem. "They understand the importance of ensuring that the response to these horrendous events must be proportionate, measured and focused on the pursuit of justice."
The international community must stand shoulder to shoulder, the Taoiseach said: "The resolution passed by the UN Security Council last Wednesday was unequivocal in its condemnation of the attacks, and stressed that those responsible for aiding, supporting or harbouring the perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of these acts will be held accountable."
The resolution clearly stated, Mr Ahern added, that international terrorism was a threat to international peace and security. No country could "stand to one side" in the face of international terrorism: "Let me make clear that as the international community seeks to address the daunting challenges that we all face, Ireland will play its part to the fullest."
It would be "foolish in the extreme" to presume that "this State, uniquely in Western Europe, does not have residing in it" persons who sympathised or had connections with "the type of extremist fundamentalist organisations" suspected of being responsible, said Mr Ahern.
"But by the same token, we should not exaggerate this issue either. There is no evidence available to us of any link between the atrocities in America and any person in this jurisdiction," he added.
Nonetheless, the security forces were aware of the presence of "a small number of non-nationals in this country" of interest to "security agencies abroad". It would be "counter-productive for me to go into precise details", said the Taoiseach, but their movements were being closely monitored.
"The House - and the wider public - could be assured that such surveillance would continue and, where necessary, be intensified." Here, some reactions to the attack had "lacked humanity", said Mr Ahern.
"In particular, the attacks on a mosque in Belfast and the abusive calls received by the Islamic community in Dublin are to be condemned in the strongest terms," he said. The Islamic community in Ireland and throughout the world had condemned last week's attacks.
"We have a significant Muslim community in Ireland. It is very important that we acknowledge their positive contribution to our society. This community is a respected part of our national life.
"We must not allow their good name to be damaged by those who carry out evil deeds in the name of Islam." Indeed, many innocent members of the Islamic faith had died in the tragedy, the Taoiseach added.
The Government would continue to keep all aspects of the situation under review and would "stay in closest contact with our friends in the United States, our partners in Europe" and the other members of the UN Security Council.
Ireland would take over the chair of the Security Council for one month, at the beginning of next month, the Taoiseach said. "Not for the first time, we will assume this new position at a difficult and challenging time. I can assure the House that we will discharge our responsibilities to the maximum of our energies and capabilities."
Over the past 30 years many terrible and tragic events were etched in the national memory that had brought immense suffering - most recently Omagh. "We can therefore, in some measure begin to understand and empathise with the shock and pain our American friends are feeling."
There was still much to be done, Mr Ahern added, to help mitigate the pain and suffering - mental, emotional and physical - of all those injured or bereaved "in these terrible events in Ireland". Further steps in that regard would shortly be considered by the Government.
"Our experience has given us some insight into the sheer enormity of what happened last week in America and the consequential human losses." The full toll was not yet known but it was clear that more than 5,000 lives were "cruelly sacrificed on the altar of human hatred".
It was against that background that the Government had decided to designate last Friday as a national day of mourning as a mark of respect to the victims and as a symbol of solidarity with the people of America.
"We were also very conscious, in arranging the national day of mourning, of the special and unique relationship between the Irish and American people - exemplified by the Irish people who lost their lives or are still missing and feared dead." In addition to the deep personal and family links with the US, Ireland had other links - trade, investment, artistic, political - but it was the human ties that underpinned this "special and unique relationship".
This was clearly demonstrated by the large numbers who queued to sign books of condolences at the American Embassy and by the attendance at religious services of remembrance.
"Many families opened their houses to American tourists who were stranded here by the closure of American airspace or offered words and gestures of comfort and solidarity to American men and women they met in street or hotel or pub."
US support for the Northern peace process had continued undiminished under President George W. Bush, the Taoiseach continued. Very early in his term of office he had appointed a senior State Department diplomat, Ambassador Richard Haas, as his special representative to advise and assist on Irish affairs.
"It was, in one way, extraordinary that I learned of the dreadful attacks last Tuesday, just as I was about to commence a meeting with Ambassador Haas, accompanied by the new US Ambassador, Mr Richard Egan, whose presence today in the Distinguished Visitors' Gallery I am glad to acknowledge."
Within hours of the attacks, said Mr Ahern, "the Tβnaiste and I" chaired a meeting of heads of the security services of key Government Departments: "We were briefed on arrangements which the Department of Foreign Affairs had even then put in place to assist people who had concerns about relatives in the US. We were also briefed on measures which were being taken to step up security as the scale and nature of the attacks became apparent."
Since then, a high-level co-ordinating group chaired by the Taoiseach's Department and comprising representatives of the Garda, the Defence Forces and the Government Departments immediately concerned had continued to meet and monitor developments.
"We established an emergency centre in the Department of Foreign Affairs, which has continued from the outset to operate on a 24-hour basis to provide information, support, and comfort to the thousands of people who have telephoned with queries about the safety of family members, relatives or friends who were in New York or Washington."
Many officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and other Departments as well as the health boards had volunteered to provide this service, said the Taoiseach. "I want to commend the Departments and all the staff who have risen so magnificently to the occasion." A great many Irish people in the affected cities, particularly New York, had been traced and it was possible to give reassurance and good news to many. "Sadly, those manning the special centre had also to confirm the worst to other grieving families."
An emergency meeting of the General Affairs Council of the EU was convened the day after the attacks. The Council took the first steps in preparing a co-ordinated EU response to events. A joint declaration ensued from the EU heads of state, the European Commission, Parliament and the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy which committed the EU to a concerted and unrelenting fight against terrorism. "We must strengthen our intelligence efforts against terrorism and accelerate the implementation of a genuine European judicial area." While it would not be easy, it was essential that "Europe be effective" in fighting the threat of terrorism, said Mr Ahern.
"Failure to do so will undermine our people's confidence in the ability of Europe to defend their essential interests." It could also mean a repetition within Europe of an atrocity of the scale of last week's in America.