Harney: US use of Shannon not illegal

The Government is not breaking its own laws by allowing US military planes to land at Shannon airport, it was today claimed.

Tanaiste Mary Harney said there was no truth in the claims made yesterday at an anti-war protest.

“There is no question of the Government breaking the law and of course what’s happening globally is under UN mandate,” Ms Harney said.

“Ireland was very anxious that everything would continue to happen under a UN mandate.”

About a thousand people from across the country took part in demonstrations at Shannon airport yesterday.

Protesters were arguing that Ireland’s tradition of military neutrality was being breached through the use of Shannon for refuelling military planes.

Speaking in Dublin today Ms Harney said any change to the law would have to be decided at parliament level.

“America is a friendly country,” she said. “America is well aware of what our laws are and the Government is well aware of the implications of enforcing the law and certainly if there was any change from the Government’s perspective that would have to be a matter for the Oireachtas in the future.

“I hope and most people hope that there wouldn’t be a war in Iraq. To a large extent that’s out of our control but I hope that what happens will happen under the mandate of the United Nations. That is extremely important.”

Yesterday’s demonstration at the use of Shannon for refuelling of US military planes was the biggest at the airport to date, organisers said.

Coaches of protesters from Dublin, Galway, Cork and Waterford marched alongside members of Irish political parties from the town centre to the terminal buildings.

They joined protesters who have been occupying a peace camp outside the airport since Christmas.

Earlier this week Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen denied any suggestion of planes being used to carry large quantities of arms.

He conceded that soldiers’ personal weapons were sometimes carried, but said that these were not loaded and were kept in the hold of the planes.

“Shannon is one of a number of European airports used for many years as a transit by US aircraft, mainly for the transit of military personnel to a wide range of destinations,” Mr Cowen said.

“It appears that Shannon is chosen by the US because it offers quick turn-around with efficient and friendly service.”

He said that although civilian aircraft did not have to seek permission to land in the Republic they did need it to carry munitions of war – and that permission was only sought for one such plane last year.