Coalition to be queried on aid for US military

THE Taoiseach will face a barrage of questions over the Government's assistance to the US military build-up in Iraq when the Dáil resumes on Wednesday.

Following the granting of permission to US military personnel to carry weapons through Shannon airport, Opposition parties want clarification on the terms of the agreement. Fine Gael claims the permission for munitions of war to be carried through the State contradicts the recent undertaking of Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen. Ahead of the UN weapons inspectors report today, Fine Gael foreign affairs spokesman Gay Mitchell said he would be insisting on a Dáil debate on the issue and that the Taoiseach and relevant ministers

answer specific questions. At brainstorming sessions held over the weekend, Fine Gael and Labour drew up strategies for attacking the Government over the coming months and putting forward their own policies.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said his parliamentary party meeting was extremely important and a turning point where a line was drawn at the internal reform plans aimed at the modernising the organisation.

Fine Gael is to place a fresh emphasis on delivering their message to people outside the Dáil, with campaigns planned on crime, health, education, housing and jobs. Labour leader Pat Rabbitte announced a major policy review process following a meeting of his parliamentary party. According to a party spokesman, the meeting focused heavily on the need to develop new and sharply-focused policy priorities on a range of issues, including crime, especially drug and alcohol-related crime and so-called joyriding among young people, health, housing, education, public transport and disability. The Green Party will unveil its new backroom staff tomorrow as the party puts its increased revenue since the general election to good use. By increasing the number of TDs from two to six, the party also trebled its State funding and has appointed a number of advisers, management, press and research staff.

Meantime, employers and unions are close to agreement on the new national pay deal, according to the head of the country's employers' group. IBEC director general Turlough O'Sullivan said that in his view the essential

details of the partnership agreement were now in place.

But Mr O'Sullivan rejected criticism of the proposed pay rise of 7% over 18 months. The pay terms of the agreement were the best deal possible given the shortcomings of the one-size-fits-all approach, he said.

Talks between the Government and the social partners will continue at Government Buildings tomorrow.