Fine Gael has raised concerns over the possibility of Government ministers attending EU-Africa summit in December as President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe may be there.
Foreign affairs spokesman Billy Timmins said: "In the past Irish Government Ministers have expressed a reluctance to attend a summit if Mr Mugabe was likely to be in attendance.
Foreign affairs spokesman Billy Timmins
"Despite pleas from this country and others advocating sanctions to be imposed by the EU since 2002, Mr Mugabe has continued to carry out human rights abuses and shunned democracy," Mr Timmins said.
A Government spokesman told ireland.com: "Most EU member states will be represented at the EU-African summit at the head of state level. It is envisaged that both the Taoiseach and the Minister for Overseas Development will attend the summit.
"The general view is that this is important and that the summit goes ahead with the aim of identifying a common vision and approach to EU-African engagement."
But Mr Timmins suggested the non-attendance of the Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs would send a message that Ireland was more concerned about the rights of a vulnerable and persecuted people than attempts to safeguard Europe's €200 billion trade with Africa.
British prime minister Gordon Brown confirmed this week that he would boycott the summit if the Zimbabwean leader attended.
"Given the circumstances of the last 10 years and our attempts to give assistance in Zimbabwe, which have been thwarted and resisted, it is not possible for us to attend this summit and sit down with President Mugabe," said Mr Brown.
He is expected to send his minister for Africa to represent Britain.