The Stop Bush coalition of protest groups has announced it is to begin a national campaign to make the US "war on terror" and use of Shannon airport an issue in next year's general election.
The group - which includes the Irish Anti-War Movement, the Peace & Neutrality Alliance and the NGO Peace Alliance - said it is establishing committees and conveners in every constituency to ensure that Shannon airport and Mr Bush's policy are an election issue.
Roger Cole, Peace and Neutrality Alliance
The campaign will be publicly launched at a rally in Dublin's Parnell Square this Saturday.
"We think the campaign is likely to have a significant impact on the election," said Richard Boyd Barrett, chairperson of the Irish Anti-War Movement.
He cited the large turnouts at anti-war marches in 2003 and 2004 as well as recent opinion polls that showed high levels of opposition to US foreign policy - particularly amongst the over-50s.
Mr Boyd Barrett said the position of the anti-war movement in advance of the war in Iraq has been vindicated as civilian casualties are now three times higher than they predicted.
Roger Cole, chairman of the Peace & Neutrality Alliance, said Bertie Ahern terminated Ireland's long-standing policy of neutrality when he allowed Shannon to be used by US troops.
"This state is now an ally of Bush's America, consciously and actively," said Mr Cole. "There is no prospect that position will be terminated until Ahern's power is terminated."
Richard Boyd Barrett, Irish Anti-war Movement
The campaign is contacting political parties to seek a public commitment that if candidates are elected they would stop the use of Shannon Airport for US military flights.
The campaign was announced to the press today to mark UN World Peace Day.
UN Peace Day was established in 1981 and has been fixed on September 21st for the last five years. Peace Day activities will be taking place in all 192 member states of the United Nations.
The UN Secretary-General traditionally rings the Peace Bell to mark the start of the day, during which warring parties are encouraged to declare a ceasefire. This year will be the last time Kofi Annan performs the role.