Sinn Féin Councillor John Dwyer has expressed mounting frustration and anger at the continuing US military presence at Shannon Airport, as the United States hasten their preparations for war on Iraq.
"The Irish people have spoken very clearly on this matter, in two very recent referenda" said Cllr Dwyer.
"The Nice Treaty was rejected on the first occassion due to the peoples serious concerns on neutrality. The government then insisted on a second referendum and went to great lengths to assure the people that Irish neutrality was being 'enshrined in the constitution'.
"In aligning themselves with George Bush's determination for war, the government are displaying outright contempt for the notion of Irish neutrality and are clearly acting over the heads of the expressed wish of the Irish people.
"Their actions display an arrogance for the peoples wishes that is entirely disgraceful.
"It is a sad irony that the government have committed some €200m to the European Rapid Reaction Force, while at the same time, are threatening to close the Accident & Emegency department of Wexford General Hospital along with nine other hospitals in this state."
