The latest Irish Times/MRBI opinion poll has found that two-thirds of citizens would deny landing rights at Shannon Airport to United States soldiers engaged in a war with Iraq, in the absence of a new United Nations resolution.
Even with the backing of a fresh UN mandate, a majority was still opposed to providing facilities at Shannon.
The depth of public hostility is likely to surprise and dismay the Coalition Government which has facilitated the passage of armed United States soldiers to the Gulf region in recent months under the terms of UN resolution 1441. Some weeks ago, long-standing regulations that prohibited the passage of armed foreign troops through our airports were amended, following diplomatic representations from Washington.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said the Government would review that decision in the absence of a fresh UN mandate for war. Since then, official statements have deliberately left open the possibility of providing support for a United States-led war, even if it lacked UN or EU backing. Ireland's economic and political relationship with the United States has been of immense value and the Government is understandably anxious not to damage it in any way. At the same time, however, it must have regard to the views of its own citizens. Public opinion may be the only mechanism capable of preventing war at this stage. A survey conducted for the New York Times has shown that 59 per cent of US citizens favour a new United Nations mandate before engaging in hostilities. In Europe, the tide of public opinion has been flowing more strongly against unilateral military action.
The Catholic Bishop of Clonfert, Dr John Kirby, commented there were times when moral principles had to be placed before economic considerations and this was one of them. Opposing a unilateral attack on Iraq, Dr Kirby indicated that situation could alter if a new United Nations resolution was passed.
Young people, under 35 years of age, and women are most committed to securing a peaceful resolution of the crisis, according to today's Irish Times poll. They oppose the provision of facilities for US troops at Shannon, no matter what the circumstances. Majorities in all political parties, with the exception of Fianna Fáil, disapprove of recent policy changes in that regard. And, in the event of unilateral military action, only one in five voters would favour a continuation of existing arrangements. These findings, and the size of today's anti-war march in Dublin, will give the Government much to consider.