Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

We know the Taoiseach does not jump to every invitation and the families of the Stardust victims can testify to that. I am not sure why he felt compelled to send the Minister to that ceremony at the drop of a hat. The Prime Minister of Italy, who is very pro-US, has demanded that the US patrol involved — it was the fighting 69th — in the killing of an Italian during the rescue of an Italian journalist, Giuliana Sgrena, be brought to justice. Will the Taoiseach stand back from his blind indifference to the slaughter in Iraq? It is all very well for him to say he condemns the killing of children, but if this country is neutral and condemns killing, how can the Government continue to facilitate the troops involved in such atrocities on their way through Shannon Airport? How can he stand back and not demand that those guilty of war crimes be punished? Does he believe the decision by President Bush to land in Shannon and rally his troops was an abuse of Irish neutrality and of the Taoiseach's sheepish support for his bloody misadventure in Iraq? Can the Taoiseach take a stand and not just speak from both sides of his mouth on the issue?

When he was in America, what did the Taoiseach say to President Bush on the conflict in Iraq? Did he tell the President that he would have to look at the issue of facilitating the passage of US troops through Shannon? Did he give any timeframe for it?

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