The Government has expressed "regret" that the joint US-British bombing of Baghdad was considered necessary and said every step should be taken to avoid the use of force in future.
The bombing and the related issue of Iraqi sanctions will be raised by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, on a round of visits to Moscow, Paris and Washington over the next 10 days.
A statement issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Government had sought information over the weekend through its mission to the United Nations in New York about the circumstances in which the bombing was carried out.
"These actions have taken place at a time when efforts are being made to secure the return of a UN disarmament mission to Iraq and a possible review of sanctions. The Government regrets very much that the use of force was deemed necessary and is concerned that every step be taken to avoid its further use."
Mr Cowen will hold talks in Moscow tomorrow with the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr Igor Ivanov. On Friday in Paris he meets the French Foreign Minister, Mr Hubert Vedrine, and he travels to Washington next week for talks with the new US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, and the National Security Adviser, Dr Condoleeza Rice.
"These talks, which will include bilateral issues, will also cover issues of common interest on the UN Security Council," the statement said. All three countries are permanent members of the Security Council: Ireland was elected for a two-year term which began on January 1st.
In what Government sources described as a "balanced" approach, the Minister will equally stress the need to alleviate the impact of UN sanctions on the civilian population of Iraq and the parallel requirement for the Iraqi government to comply with Security Council resolutions, especially relating to the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction.
"Ireland wishes to see sanctions lifted at the earliest possible moment. However, to help bring this about, Iraq must demonstrate, with concrete evidence, its peaceful intentions, especially with regard to its neighbours." Irish diplomats will also address the issue of Iraq in discussions scheduled to take place in the Security Council today.
Supporting a review of the sanctions, Fine Gael's Foreign Affairs spokesman, Mr Jim O'Keeffe, said there was a strong case for abandoning the general trade embargo against Iraq and having "tight, strategic sanctions" on arms and equipment. He added that if the air attacks reduced President Saddam Hussein's military capacity, then "they may be justified".
Labour's Foreign Affairs spokesman, Mr Michael D. Higgins, said the Government's statement on the Baghdad bombing was "mealy-mouthed and evasive".
He continued: "It accepts the use of force while evading the responsibility of justifying it or addressing its consequences on a civilian population." Noting that the Government had avoided criticism of the US and Britain, he added: "We would like to know what the Irish position is."