Labour calls for Ahern statement on Shannon

The Labour Party has called on the Taoiseach to make a statement on the use of Shannon Airport by foreign military planes.

The Labour Party has called on the Taoiseach to make a statement on the use of Shannon Airport by foreign military planes.

The call follows weekend reports that the Minister for Transport has given US civilian aircraft permission to transport military munitions through the airport.

Labour's spokesperson on Transport, Ms Roisin Shortall, said: "The Minister appears to have acted in conflict with the stated position of Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen.

"The increased use of Shannon Airport in recent weeks and months has generated a high level of public unease about the apparent complicity of the Irish Government in the build-up to a potential war in Iraq. The conflicting statements from Ministers have only fuelled that unease," she said.