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Irish govt’s shameful stance

“It’s a pity the war is happening, but, hey, what can we do to help?”. The Irish government has agreed a shameful motion to be put to Dáil Éireann (the Irish parliament) tomorrow. I have written to the Irish Times condemning the motion – not sure if it will appear (it is late in the day in Ireland), but I include a copy for your delectation below

A Chara,
As I write the US and the UK seem set to undertake an illegal attack on Iraq. It is important that Ireland express its rejection of this action by withdrawing the (already suspect) landing and over-flight rights currently granted to the US military. The shameful wording proposed by the government must be rejected by all honourable members of An Dáil.
Given the continued failure of the government to make anything other than meaningless statements on this issue, one must ask whether they are one of the fifteen nations which has promised support to the US military machine, but refuses to release this fact to their people.
The pending war is unnecessary, illegal, and immoral. It will cause huge suffering, and threatens to destabilise global relations. I do not want to see my country a party – passive or otherwise – to this move.
Is mise, le meas,
Andrew Ó¬†Baoill