Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy does not want to understand the issue but if you will allow me, a Cheann Comhairle, I will make two points on it. The use of Shannon Airport by US military is a long-standing practice; it has been in place for half a century. The period covers many crises and military confrontations. We have never withdrawn or suspended those facilities at any stage and the Dáil approved that decision in March 2003.

What the Deputy does not understand and what I would like to note is that the multinational force has been acting under UN authorisation to assist the Iraqi authorities and the UN Security Council in Resolution 1546, which was unanimously passed again recently.

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