Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he foresees any circumstances by which the Government's position on assisting US forces participating in the war in Iraq by way of the Shannon stopover would change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13679/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has on numerous occasions set out its policy on the use of Shannon Airport by the US military, a long standing arrangement that has been going on for more than 50 years.

In particular, a comprehensive debate on this matter took place in Dáil Éireann on 20 March 2003. During the debate, the Government outlined the various political, diplomatic, legal and other considerations which determine its policy in this area. At that time, and following an extensive discussion of the issues, Dáil Éireann voted to support the Government decision to maintain the customary arrangements at Shannon Airport. US troops currently transiting Shannon en route to Iraq are serving in a multinational force, which is operating under UN Security Council authorisation. The Security Council has called on member states to assist the multinational force in carrying out its mandate.