Bertie to face down Dáil criticism over Shannon

Political Correspondent

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said that withdrawing a facility that has been used since 1955 would be seen as a “hostile act” and he wanted to maintain Ireland’s good relations with the United States.

However, he insisted that yesterday’s Cabinet decision was not a sign of support for the US-led war and pointed out that a Government motion to be debated in the Dáil today will express regret at the actions of the coalition.