The Taoiseach has said it would be "a shame" if international rugby and soccer matches were to take place at Wembley or Cardiff because the GAA had decided not to allow use of Croke Park during refurbishment at Lansdowne Road, writes Mark Brennock, Chief Political Correspondent.
As the GAA prepares to vote tomorrow on whether to allow the use of Croke Park for soccer and rugby during the Lansdowne redevelopment, Mr Ahern said it was "not for the Government to try to influence the membership of an independent organisation and I'm certainly not going to try to do that".
He then raised the prospect of "20,000 to 30,000" rugby and soccer supporters travelling to Britain to watch matches if the GAA authorities kept their stadium closed to those codes.
"The members of the GAA understand this very well," he said.
He also recalled the financial assistance the Government had given to Croke Park's development. "We provided excellent infrastructure. We assisted here at Croke Park. We are going to assist the IRFU and the FAI in providing facilities at Lansdowne Road."
He also said he knew the GAA delegates would consider the matter "not only in the interests of Gaelic games, but in the national interest of other sports as well."
It would be "handier" if the matches could take place in Ireland. "But the decision will be made, I'm not going to interfere with them."
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny was more direct. "I am hopeful that the vote this Saturday will result in a confident, successful and progressive Gaelic Athletic Association opening up the possibility of Croke Park being made temporarily available to other sports", he said.
Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte stressed that "the decision is, of course, one entirely for the delegates at congress this weekend", before adding: "I think they would be doing the country a service by agreeing to make Croke Park available for major soccer and rugby internationals during the period when Lansdowne is undergoing refurbishment, subject to their own requirements getting priority."
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent said many within his party "would view it as a good day for sport in general if they were willing to relax the rule". He would respect whatever decision was made.
A Sinn Féin spokesman said his party would not take any position on the matter, leaving it for the GAA to decide.