The Taoiseach has defended the decision to offer the US military access to Irish facilities during any future military action against terrorism, claiming it was primarily intended as a "show of respect".
Mr Bertie Ahern said he only expected Irish airports to be used "sporadically" by the US air force.
The Taoiseach made his comments at a welcoming ceremony for the Lithuanian President Mr Valdas Adamkus this afternoon at Government buildings.
"There was no debate on the offer as the move was a show of respect on the part of the parliament to the people of the US," said Mr Ahern. "What we have announced is in line with UN resolutions last week and was done as part of our security council role. It is exactly what we did ten years ago with Desert Storm and even then that offer was only used lightly by the US."
Armed warplanes as well as troop carriers may be allowed use the State's facilities. However, the Taoiseach last week ruled out the involvement of Irish soldiers in any US-led operation.
The decision has been criticised by the Labour spokesman on Defence Mr Michael D Higgins who said it was not discussed in the Dáil before being finalised.
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The Green Party attacked the decision as unconstitutional. A spokesman said: "We have agreed to give the Americans our airports for a military action of which we know nothing, or very little".
Fine Gael’s spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr Alan Shatter, said the "varied concepts of Irish neutrality which have been the subject of public debate over the years are of no relevance to the issue".
"The Government was right to make available our airports and air space to facilitate the United States military taking the action required. We have an obligation to do so as a democratic nation committed to democratic values.
"I believe that neutrality when confronted by evil, is not an option. It is a position of moral bankruptcy and an act of self-indulgent intellectual escapism," he said.
Responding to the opposition to the decision, Mr Ahern said: "I have to say I have been out and about all weekend, and I did not see concern or anger, quite frankly, other than by a few people".
Mr Ahern also said the planned meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Cowen and US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell in Washington this Wednesday would mainly be concerned with preparations for Ireland’s chair of the UN Security Council.
"We have let the US know that our facilities are available to them for use but Wednesday’s meeting won’t be about that," he said.
"Most of the discussions will be to prepare ourselves for our Security Council Role, something with which we will have to work closely with the US on."