Neutrality in tatters, says Green Party

IRELAND'S neutrality is in tatters, proving the Government cannot be trusted on the Nice Treaty, the Green Party said yesterday.

The Government's stance on Iraq and allowing the United States to use Shannon airport shows that the Seville Declaration on neutrality is a meaningless con-job, according to the party's foreign affairs spokesman, John Gormley.

"The Americans now treat Shannon as a domestic military airport. Soldiers in desert fatigues can be seen walking around the airport complex and will talk openly about their destination.