The Taoiseach has defended the decision to allow US planes and military personnel to use Irish airports. Bertie Ahern said that flyover or landing facilities on Irish soil would be available to US forces if needed.
Mr Ahern said he hoped that these issues would not arise, but that if they did, Ireland had its part to play as a member of the Security Council and a member of the civilised and democratic world.
Speaking after a meeting at Government Buildings with the Lithuanian president, Valdus Adamkus, Mr Ahern stressed that the Government decision was in line with a similar stance taken during Operation Desert Storm ten years ago and was in line with the current United Nations resolution.
Last Friday, Bertie Ahern said that the offer would be made tomorrow when the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, is due to meet his counterpart, Colin Powell, in Washington.
The Tánaiste has expressed her surprise at criticism by opposition parties of the Government's decision. Speaking in Waterford, Mary Harney said she thinks it would be "very wrong" not to make those facilities available if they were required by the United States for refuelling or stopovers.
The Tánaiste added that Ireland's interests lie in working with the United States and other friendly nations in defeating international terrorism.
