Turnaround in opposition to US use of Shannon

The majority of Irish people now believe the Government was right to allow US military planes to refuel at Shannon Airport during the war on Iraq, a poll revealed today.

In a dramatic reversal of public opinion, some 51% said they now approved of the move, and 39% disagreed.

The last survey of its kind in February showed that just 21% agreed with stopovers at the Co Clare facility without a new UN resolution authorising war.

Opponents claimed that by allowing the US military to use Shannon the Government was breaching its tradition of military neutrality.

As the war began the leadership announced that it would continue to offer the facility despite opposition.

Today’s Irish Times/TNS mrbi poll showed the decision had now won approval in all regions and among supporters of all parties except the Green Party and Sinn Fein.

Men in most age groups agreed with the Government, although many women and young people still disapproved.

A majority of those questioned also said they believed Ireland should consider joining a future EU common defence as long as the State could opt into or out of military actions on a case-by-case basis.

Some 58% said Ireland should consider joining with the right to opt in or out of action, while 10% said it should join and participate fully in any military actions.

Opposition to participation in a common EU defence was strongest among women and 18 to 24-year-olds.

Asked generally about military conflicts abroad, just under a third said Ireland should remain out of all military alliances and never take part in war.

Just over half said the country should consider taking part on a case-by-case basis with a UN mandate, while 8% said it should take part on such a basis with or without a UN mandate.

The poll was conducted early this week using a national sample of 1,000 voters at 100 points throughout Ireland.