'US use of Shannon does not stop neutrality'

Allowing US military aircraft to use Shannon Airport does not make Ireland a member of a war coalition, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today.

Mr Ahern said the Government did not regard the gesture as participation in a war.

“Ireland has made overflight and landing facilities available to the US for the last 50 years,” he told the Dáil.

“This period covers many crises and military confrontations, which involved the US taking military action without specific UN endorsement ... we did not withdraw or suspend those facilities at any stage during that period.”

Mr Ahern was speaking at a special sitting of the Dail, which was recalled from its traditional week-long St Patrick’s Day break for an emergency debate on the war.

He faced harsh criticism from opposition parties, who argued it was impossible for Ireland to offer facilities at the Co Clare airport and still retain its tradition of military neutrality.

The Taoiseach said it would be “extraordinary” for Ireland to oppose the US in a way that even its harshest critics were not prepared to do.

“No other country is known to be contemplating the withdrawal of existing facilities from the US,” Mr Ahern said, opening a six-hour debate.

“This includes Germany and France, who have been the strongest opponents of US intentions on the Security Council. It also includes a number of Arab countries who have taken a strong position against war.

“These countries would not accept that, by maintaining overflight or landing facilities to the US, they are endorsing or participating in the US military action.

“It would be extraordinary for Ireland to adopt a position of opposition in regard to the United States that no other country, not even its strongest critics on the Security Council, is prepared to take.”

Mr Ahern said he realised that the Government’s position would not be welcomed by everybody in the country, and that he recognised these concerns.

He said the Government regretted that the US-led coalition had found it necessary to launch the war without agreement on a further resolution.

“I said some weeks ago that a second resolution was a political imperative,” he added. “In its absence we have to conduct ourselves in a manner which is in keeping with our Constitution.”