A protest against the US preparations for war on Iraq and the use of Shannon Airport for refueling US military planes and civilian aircraft carrying US troops will take place at Leinster House this evening at 6 p.m.
The protest coincides with a private members motion calling for the immediate withdrawal of all landing and refueling facilities in Shannon Airport for US military planes.
The motion, put down by Deputies Joe Higgins, (Socialist Party); Mr Tony Gregory, (Independent); Mr Seamus Healy, (Independent); Mr Gerry Cowley, (Independent) and Mr Finian McGrath, (Independent); is to be debated between 7 and 8.30 p.m.
"The Irish Government has remained silent about its intentions in this war and complicit through its actions in Shannon Airport for long enough" Mr. Richard Boyd Barrett, chairperson of the Irish Anti War Movement said.
"An Irish Times/MRBI poll published on October 1st, 2002 found 68 per cent of the Irish public profoundly opposed to unilateral US action against Iraq with 59 per cent asking this State to oppose any UN authority for action," he added.