Comments made by an Islamic cleric in Dublin last night that Ireland could be a possible target for terrorists are being investigated by the gardaí.
Anjem Choudary, the leader of Al Muhajiroun in Britain, said it was not his personal view but that groups such as al-Qaeda may consider that Ireland was a target.
"If you allow Shannon to be used that is not a position of neutrality. It is part of waging this type of carnage in Iraq. So they would see the Irish as collaborators and are not going to distinguish."
Mr Choudary was speaking before a debate in TCD on whether the attacks on September 11th, 2001, were a legitimate form of resistance to US pressure on the Islamic world.
It is understood gardaí are investigating Mr Choudary's comments, with a view to possible prosecution for incitement to hatred.
Fine Gael's defence spokesman Billy Timmins said he was concerned at Mr Choudray's comments and at Ireland's ability to deal with a major terrorist attack.He said Ireland is no better prepared for such an eventuality now than it was before the September 11 thattacks because emergency planning is split between different Government departments.
In order to deal with potential terrorist attacks, Mr Timmins said there must be measures to reduce the risk of an attack by improving Ireland's intelligence capability and entry and exit controls. The country also needs early warning systems, communications control, efficient equipment and trained personnel to ensure readiness for any act of terrorism, he said.
Richard Boyd Barrett, chairman of the Irish Anti-War Movement said Mr Choudray's comments were confirmation that Ireland was no longer perceived as neutral in the Arab and Muslim world. He called on Mr Ahern to end the Government's "cynical policy of supporting Bush's illegal and immoral war at Shannon airport and tell the US military to get out of Shannon".