The Taoiseach has said he cannot rule out a visit to Ireland next year by US president Mr George W. Bush.
Answering a question by Socialist Party TD, Mr Joe Higgins, in the Dáil today, Mr Ahern emphasised that while there is a possibility that next year's EU/US summit could take place in Ireland there were other equally likely options.
He said the scheduled summit could take place in the United States on the fringes of the G8 summit early next year. But he acknowledged that the Inter Governmental Council (IGC) set to take place in June in Ireland could become the location for the summit.
He rejected Mr Higgins suggestion that Mr Bush be blocked from visiting Ireland over the "illegal attack on Iraq". Mr Ahern said the issue will not be discussed at the next IGC at the weekend.
Ireland assumes the EU presidency at the start of 2004 for a six-month period.