Ahern side-steps questions on Iraq war

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has again refused to say whether he will continue to provide support to the US military if it presses ahead with a war against Iraq without a United Nations mandate.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny pressed Mr Ahern on the matter in the Dail this morning, but the Taoiseach would only say that the Government would convene a debate in the event of the United States launching a unilateral attack on Iraq.