An Irish peace group has begun a postcard campaign calling on the Government to stop allowing US military jets refuel at Shannon airport as part of their build-up to a possible war in Iraq.
The Stop Fuelling the War campaign has also organised a five-and-a-half mile peace walk at midday next Saturday from Bunratty Castle to Shannon Airport.
Today, 47 school children delivered a giant postcard to the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, calling on him to reconsider Ireland's position on the use of the facility. The group will be distributing smaller postcards that can be filled in a posted to Mr Ahern.
The campaign says the 47 children signify the percentage of the population of Iraq under the age of 16.
Labour leader Mr Pat Rabbitte is expected to attend today's event outside the Dáil. In a statement earlier, Mr Rabbitte said yesterday's report by UN weapons inspectors contained nothing that could justify a war on Iraq.
"No democratic country has gone to war in recent times, other than in direct response to an act of aggression," he said.
"Launching a massive war over a possible threat posed by another country would be creating a very dangerous precedent indeed".
