No evidence four arrested were involved in US attacks - Ahern

There are indications that four non-nationals arrested yesterday under the Offences Against the State Act might be connected to people under investigation in the US, the Dβil has been told.

However, the Taoiseach said there was no evidence that they might have been involved in the attacks on September 11th, either through explosives, documents or contacts. Mr Ahern said, however, that he would inform the opposition leaders of anything "more sinister".

The Taoiseach said the number of overflights of US aircraft "as reported by Shannon air traffic control has increased to a certain degree but to date only one military-type aircraft has asked for or used the facilities". He was responding during the Order of Business to the Fine Gael leader, Mr Michael Noonan, who asked about the arrests in connection with explosives offences.

"Detectives suspect that this group is part of a support group connected with Mr bin Laden and particularly involved with the provision of cash and documents in this jurisdiction to assist in international terrorism," said Mr Noonan.

Mr Ahern said he had received a "short confidential briefing" following the arrests of three Libyans and an Algerian. "I do not know if charges will be made," he said. "Garda∅ have been monitoring a number of individuals for some considerable time, particularly in the last four weeks.

"There is some evidence that perhaps some of these people might have links or might have some kind of relationship with some individuals who are being looked at in the US. There is no evidence to think at this stage, in my briefing, that they have been involved in any way either through explosives or documents or contacts but garda∅ are going through the investigations." The Labour leader, Mr Ruair∅ Quinn, called for the Government, as chair of the UN Security Council, to convene a meeting of all the major aid agencies and donors to Afghanistan and neighbouring countries to ensure no impediment to the deliver of essential humanitarian aid.

The Taoiseach said a high-level briefing of the UN secretariat on the humanitarian situation was to take place. Asked about the Irish position on extending military attacks beyond Afghanistan, Mr Ahern said "at this stage there is no reason to believe that any other action is imminent or being considered".

"The likelihood of an imminent attack has been raised but I think every indication is that the US is looking to a long and multi-faceted campaign against international terrorism."

Earlier, calls by Mr John Gormley (Green, Dublin South East) and Mr Joe Higgins (Ind, Dublin West) for a debate on the attacks and civilian casualties were rejected.