The Government is consulting with other EU members on the possibility of holding an emergency summit of interior and justice ministers amid growing indications that the Madrid bombings may have been the work of Islamic militants linked to al-Qaeda.
The German Interior Minister, Mr Otto Schily, called yesterday for an urgent meeting, possibly within days.
A spokesman for the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, said the Minister spoke by telephone to Mr Schily after the German minister said he would ask the Irish EU presidency to convene an emergency meeting of ministers and security chiefs to discuss the attacks.
Mr Schily said: "If it is confirmed that the Madrid attacks have an Islamic background then it means that Islamic terrorism in Europe has taken on a new quality."
Mr McDowell also spoke yesterday to the Spanish Interior Minister, Mr Angel Acebes, and told him that the "presidency stands ready to take whatever action is required".
His spokesman added: "The presidency will be taking a number of initiatives in response to the tragic events of Thursday last in Madrid. An early meeting of justice and home affairs ministers is one option, and consultation is under way in this regard."
It is understood no decision will be taken on the timing of such a meeting until later in the week. Mr McDowell left yesterday for a St Patrick's Day visit to South Africa.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has called for a three-minute silence across Europe today at noon Madrid time (11 a.m. Irish time). The Irish Congress of Trade Unions last night called on workers to observe the silence.