Government has concerns over use of Shannon by US forces

The Minister for the Environment said today the Government had concerns about the use of Shannon Airport by the US military.

The International group Human Rights Watch claimed the Americans were using the airport to transfer suspects to secret detention centres in Eastern Europe.

This has been denied by the Government.

Minister Dick Roche said we should retain some perspective when discussing Shannon.

“Obviously we have concerns about that and to try and portray the Government as not being concerned would be a disservice,” he said.

“I don't think you can debate an issue like Shannon just with a uni-focus, I think you need to have a wider focus.”