IRAQ CRISIS: The Labour Party leader Mr Pat Rabbitte has written to the Taoiseach seeking a Dáil debate on the use of Shannon Airport by US troops heading for the Gulf region.
In his letter to Mr Ahern yesterday Mr Rabbitte also asked if the Government would continue to provide Shannon Airport for use by the US military if they go to war without the specific consent of the UN Security Council.
Mr Rabbitte said there was widespread public concern in Ireland at the continuing preparations "for war at a time when the UN inspectors have still to discharge the mandate given to them by the Security Council Facilities that might quite properly be made available to a friendly country during peacetime may not be appropriate during the course of a war or the build up to a war", he said.
The Government should use a Dáil debate on the matter to say what steps it is taking to promote a peaceful settlement of the matter, and to explain the basis on which it is providing Shannon facilities. "I also have to express my disappointment that the Government has not been more active and vocal in efforts to avoid what is likely to be a war involving substantial loss of life".
Meanwhile, an Oireachtas delegation is due to arrive in Baghdad tomorrow where it will meet ministers for health, resources and foreign affairs. The delegation includes the Labour Party Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Mr Michael D. Higgins and Fianna Fáil Senator, Mr Micheal Kitt.