Harney responds to criticism of preparations for Bush visit

The Tánaiste Ms Harney told the Dáil today that preparations for the US President Mr George W Bush's visit to Ireland this weekend would be proportionate according to need in order to ensure the safety of Mr Bush, his entourage, and that of local people.

However, Ms Harney said it would be made clear to the President that Ireland did not agree with the US approach "on many foreign policy issues."

The Tánaiste's comments came as politicians and union leaders voiced opposition to the US President's visit.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions issued a strongly worded statement opposing the visit with the union's General Secretary, Mr David Begg, later claiming it would be "moral cowardice" to allow the visit to pass without making clear Ireland's opposition to the United States' multilateralism.

Claiming that 'untold damage' had been caused to the American people and to the world as a result of Mr Bush's policies, the ICTU statement said Mr Bush was a 'menace' and could not be accorded "the welcome that would normally be due to the leader of a country with which we have a close affinity."

A group of Independent TDs and Mr Roger Cole of The Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA) earlier accused the Government of turning Shannon into a "US air force base."

Dr Gerry Cowley called on the Taoiseach to end his "duplicity" and to come out and prove the comments he made last year that he was with the people on the anti-war march in Dublin.

Mr Finian McGrath challenged the Tánaiste on the use of Shannon by US forces on their way to Iraq. "She is breach of article 28,3.1 of the Constitution," he said. He also said the Government should be "reflecting its own independent foreign policy line."

PANA has organised a demonstration this Friday in Parnell Square, Dublin at 7 p.m. and another in Drumoland, Co Clare, at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Mr Richard Boyd Barrett, Chairperson of the Irish Anti-War Movement also complained what he said was a restriction to exercise the right to protest.

"Our posters have been systematically torn down, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland has banned our radio ads, the Gardai has harassed our activists and immigration police held an Iraqi visitor in Dublin Airport who came to speak at a IAWM public meeting."

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has said it also supports the Anti-Bush demonstrations.