The Irish Presidency of the European Union has asked all EU member states to organise three minutes' silence for the victims of the bombings in Madrid yesterday and as a mark of solidarity with the Spanish people.
The period of silence will begin at midday, Madrid time, on Monday, March 15th.
Announcing the Presidency request, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said: "I know I speak for all of my colleagues on the European Council in assuring our Spanish colleague, Mr José Maria Aznar, and the Spanish people of our collective support at this difficult time.
"I am asking the Irish people to observe this commemorative silence on Monday next and hope that it will be observed across the European Union. It will demonstrate our collective sense of solidarity with Spain and its people and our steadfast determination to fight the scourge of terrorism which threatens all of our basic freedoms."
Speaking separately this morning after his meeting in Dublin with the Slovakian prime minister, Mr . Mikuláš Dzurinda, the Taoiseach described the bombings as "a cowardly attack on the democratic process". Both leaders strongly condemned the attacks.
"As we have learned both here and in Britain, violence has no part in the political process. We have both spoken to Prime Minister Aznar last evening and assured him that our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those killed and injured at this very difficult time," Mr Ahern said.
The Taoiseach said that since the September 11th, 2001 attacks on the US, there had been "a vastly increased level of co-operation between member countries".
"At the outset of our Presidency of the European Union we emphasised that the fight against terrorism would be accorded a high priority. Terrorism has been identified in the European Security Strategy as an area of special concern in view of the significant threat it poses to the safety of European citizens.
"Progress has already been made across the range of counter-terrorist activity including police and judicial co-operation, tackling the financing of terrorism, the strengthening of air security and the development of international legal instruments.
"Under the Irish Presidency we have initiated a full review and update of the EU action plan, which is now underway and which will result in an updated, operationally focused plan. This is due to be progressed further over the coming weeks," the Taoiseach said.