Ahern urged to state position on stem-cell research

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern is under pressure to publicly state his personal position on the Government’s support of an EU proposal for stem-cell research on embryos.

Amid protests within Fianna Fáil, Tánaiste Mary Harney will vote in favour of the proposal tomorrow but says she came to the decision in consultation with the Taoiseach, Minister for Health Micheál Martin and Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen.

Pro-Life groups and the Catholic Church have called on the Government not to support the plan by the European Commission to allow research on adult and embryonic stem cells. Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny will raise the issue in the Dáil today, protesting that the Government has bypassed the parliament in taking its decision to back the proposal.

Last night, Ms Harney’s spokesman confirmed the Tánaiste spoke directly to the Taoiseach and the two ministers in arriving at the decision, and there was no record of concerns or reservations being expressed.

The Taoiseach’s spokesperson also said that Mr Ahern fully supported the Government decision, but confirmed it did not go to the Cabinet for approval as this was not required.

Youth Defence chairman Eoghan de Faoite said the Taoiseach needed to come out and state his intentions and the position of Fianna Fáil.