The Government should strenuously oppose US and British plans for a war in Iraq, Socialist Party TD Mr Joe Higgins said today.
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Reacting to a poll in this morning's
Irish Times
showing public opposition to military action, Mr Higgins said the Government must use its position on the UN Security Council to vote against resolution designed "to facilitate a war.
"Moreover, the Government must now state that any use of Shannon airport to facilitate US warplanes will be withdrawn.
"As last Saturday's demonstration in Dublin against a war on Iraq makes clear, the Government will not be allowed to ignore the mood which exists in Irish society on the issue," Mr Higgins said.
This morning's poll done by the MRBI says some 59 per cent believe Ireland should vote against authorising military action if Iraq fails to comply with UN weapons inspections. Twenty-nine per cent were in favour, and 12 per cent had no opinion.
Over 800 people marched from the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square along Dublin's O'Connell St on Saturday in protest at the expected military action in Iraq. Protesters were also objecting to the use of Irish airports by the US airforce.
In London, almost 200,000 protesters took part in a protest as part of growing opposition to Mr Tony Blair's stance on Iraq.
