Green MEP Patricia McKenna has called for for public demonstrations during US President George W. Bush's visit to Ireland.
Ms McKenna accused the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, of being dishonest in saying demonstrations would be no good for Ireland. "I believe the lack of demonstrations in Ireland during Bush's visit could damage our creditability as a country concerned about peace, disarmament and the rule of law", she said.
"It seems money and profit comes before peace, security and human rights," she added.
Ms McKenna said the demand by the US Security Services for immunity if they accidentally shot protesters during the Bush visit to Ireland amounted to a "shoot-to-kill policy" and must be rejected by the Government.
She was speaking at a meeting of the Stop Bush campaign today in Dublin where details were announced about protests to mark the anniversary of the outbreak of the US-led war in Iraq, to be held in Dublin and in cities across the world on Saturday.
Labour Dublin Euro election candidate Ivana Bacik said on Monday that President Bush should be greeted with protests not pleasantries when he comes to Ireland in June.
"I for one don't want to see Ireland used as some sentimental backdrop in advance of Bush's re-election campaign and believe that the vast majority of people are of a similar mind" she said. A "public expression of our opposition to his debased foreign policy would be fitting" when he arrives in Ireland, according to Ms Bacik.