An Opposition motion calling on the Government to apply all possible pressure to prevent an attack on Iraq and to immediately withdraw all landing and refuelling facilities at Shannon Airport for US military planes and other aircraft has been rejected by the Dail.
With a margin of 22 votes, a Government amendment saying the issue would come before the Dáil again if military action was initiated against Iraq with or without a UN Mandate was passed.
In the second day of the debate on the issue this morning Sinn Féin called on the Government to vigorously oppose a US and British war with Iraq.
Sinn Féin is part of the so-called opposition "technical" group which also includes the Greens, the Socialist Party and independent TDs.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs yesterday strongly defended the use of Shannon airport by American military aircraft. He rejected calls for landing and refuelling facilities to be withdrawn from them.
Mr Cowen said military aircraft from many countries had been refuelling at Shannon for many decades. "Claims that this Government has adopted a new policy which undermines Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality are nonsense. They are nothing more than political opportunism," he said.