State should ban landings if US attacks

WHEN is a debate not a debate? The answer is when Dáil deputies address such thorny issues as the implicit contradiction between Irish neutrality and the increasing use of Shannon Airport

With US President George W Bush giving his clearest indication yet that a declaration of war is inevitable whether the UN likes it or not the growing number of American aircraft refuelling at Shannon has triggered yet another Oireachtas "debate" about operations there.

Concern is now growing over the substantial increase in the number of US civilian aircraft seeking permission to carry munitions on their way through Shannon. This follows a tightening up of regulations since the Government reminded airlines of rules on transporting munitions of war through Ireland.