Ireland would support requests by UN weapons inspectors for more time to assess Iraq's weapons programme, the Taoiseach said today.
"Let's wait to see what Hans Blix says rather than pre-empting it," Mr Ahern said.
"But if he believes he needs more time and if the Security Council feels that he needs more time then that is a matter we would be supportive of," he added.
He said that once Dr Blix had published his report it would then be necessaryto wait for the reaction of Mr Kofi Annan and the Security Council.
"I'm sure that people will listen to Kofi Annan and others who are urging theinvolvement of the Security Council," Mr Ahern said.
Mr Ahern also repeated the Government's stance on the use of ShannonAirport as a refuelling base for planes carrying US military personnel to theGulf region.
He said that civilian aircraft carrying military personnel without arms did not need to ask the Government to use Shannon but that those carryingmunitions of any kind needed to seek permission.
Opposition politicians today called on Mr Ahern to clear up the "legal andpolitical quagmire" surrounding the debate over the use of the airport.
Protesters have been mounting demonstrations in recent weeks at the use of theairport, arguing it breaches Ireland's tradition of military neutrality.
Labour's transport spokesperson Ms Roisin Shortall said news that Minister for Transport, Mr Seamus Brennan, had given civilian aircraft permission to transportmunitions through Shannon "flew in the face" of other Government statements.
Ms Shortall said the Taoiseach should make the issue a matter of priority when the Dáil resumes on Wednesday - even though he has postponed the debate until next week.