Government accused of abandoning neutrality

OPPOSITION parties yesterday claimed the Government had abandoned the country’s neutrality by allowing the US military to use Shannon Airport.

As hundreds of anti-war protesters gathered outside the Dáil yesterday, Fine Gael, Labour, the Greens and Independents warned the Government’s actions would be seen as a sign of explicit support for a war without UN backing. However, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Tánaiste Mary Harney strongly rejected this and said use of the airport was not a contribution to the US-led war. Mr Ahern told the Dáil that to withdraw facilities for US forces at Shannon Airport now would be a radical change in foreign policy and would be seen as a hostile act.

“The provision of facilities does not make Ireland a member of a military coalition. Nor does anybody regard us as such. We remain militarily neutral,” he said. But this was disputed by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who said that while Ireland had close links with the US, there was no reason why it should not restrain itself from expressing opposition to the war. While I disagree with the action now being taken by President Bush and Prime Minister Blair, it is possible to be anti their action without being anti their countries. It is possible for friends to differ on a fundamental point of principle,” Mr Kenny said.