The Tánaiste has said the security response to protests against the visit of the US President, George W Bush, would be proportionate to the need.
Speaking in the Dáil, she also said the Government would make it clear to Mr Bush that Ireland and the EU did not agree with him on many foreign policy issues.
Meanwhile, in an RTÉ interview, the US Ambassador to Ireland, James Kenny, said everyone has the right to peaceful protests and that is what the US is fighting for.
Thousands of people are expected to take to the streets this weekend to voice their opposition to the visit of President Bush.
Mr Kenny said the protests were not that important as the dialogue between America and other countries is improving.
He pointed to the recent unanimous UN vote on the Iraq draft resolution as proof that America's external relations were improving although other countries may not have agreed on some of the military action.
But the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, in a strongly worded statement this afternoon, said Mr Bush had done untold damage, both to the American people and to the world.
'That is why', the ICTU said, 'we cannot accord to him the welcome that would normally be due to the leader of a country with which we have a close affinity.'
