I will try to abide by the Ceann Comhairle's instructions. It was consistent poverty we were talking about rather than relative poverty. My question has to do with the likelihood of a war with the United States attacking Iraq. Has the Taoiseach evaluated the possible effects of that war not just on the people of Iraq but on this country, not only in terms of the victims of the war directly but the effects on the price of energy, Ireland being 80% dependent on fossil fuel, the effects of burning oil gas wells on global CO2 emissions, the effects of the radioactive burden from depleted uranium weapons on both victims and combatants and the knock-on effects of terrorism worldwide? In the light of the United Nations resolution has he any plan, in the event that the United States unilaterally attacks Iraq, in regard to what Ireland will do? I know he does not want the United States to unilaterally attack Iraq but if it does, and it looks likely, will Shannon Airport continue to be made available to the United States airforce? Will the Dáil have a vote on the matter? The use of Shannon Airport would involve us participating in that war. The Constitution, which is explicit, states that war shall not be declared and the State shall not participate in any war, save with the assent of Dáil Éireann. When are we likely to see a vote in Dáil Éireann in advance of a possible attack by the United States on Iraq?

The two minutes have concluded.

What security measures will be put in place at Shannon Airport given the likelihood of that attack?

As the Deputy has said, we would rather not see military action. We welcome the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1441 last week which was unanimous and expressed in a unified fashion the Security Council's concerns and intentions concerning Iraq. This achieves a position that we, with many other countries, have fought for over many months, in which the United Nations, and not some other area, will be the vehicle for trying to deal with this issue. The integrity of the UN Charter and the prerogatives of the Security Council are fully preserved in the terms of that resolution. For Ireland this is an issue of fundamental importance and we are pleased that the resolution has kept this issue within the framework of the Security Council. The Deputy is aware of what will happen. If there is a breach, if the inspectors are not allowed to do their job and undertake—

What security measures are to be put in place?

I am coming to that. The Deputy asked about Resolution 1441. Its purpose is to bring about Iraq's co-operation with the arms inspectors. That is what we hope will happen. It is not a mandate for military action. We support the resolution which lays down procedures which require the question of non-compliance by Iraq to be considered by a further meeting of the Security Council. The question the Deputy asked was what will happen if Iraq does not comply. It will be for the Secretary General to assess whether Iraq failed to meet its obligations and to decide on any action that may be required. The Secretary General has made it absolutely clear that if Iraq breaks the inspector's mandate, the Security Council—

Answer the question.

It is a set-up and the Taoiseach knows it.

I am not Saddam Hussein. All the Deputy wants is to have a go at the United States. He should allow his party leader to ask a question.

The decision might include authorising the use of force by member states if the resolution is not complied with. If that is the case we will support it and play our part, as Secretary General Kofi Annan has stated.

It is a set-up, and the Taoiseach knows it.

What will happen if the US attacks unilaterally? That is the question.

On the issue of the Constitution, if any resolution were passed, it would be up to the Government to decide what action should be taken by Ireland in the light of the relevant constitutional provisions.

It is not up to the Government. It is up to the Dáil.

The Deputy may be assured that the Government will at all times abide fully by the Constitution. Those circumstances do not arise now. The Government is acting under Article 29.4. The Deputy knows what that is. It provides for the executive power of the State in connection with its external relations to be exercised by or on the authority of the Government. That is what would happen.

I do not agree that the Government is complying with the Constitution on this matter. I ask the Taoiseach again, because he has not answered, whether the Government will continue to allow Shannon Airport to be used if the United States unilaterally attacks Iraq as, at that stage, we would be de facto participating in a war. That is the question, pure and simple, and I would like the Taoiseach to answer it. Will he also answer the question I asked about additional security arrangements at Shannon Airport? Also, given today's reports of additional security on ferries from Britain to Ireland and other places which the British Government has seen fit to increase, will the Government be increasing security at any point in the country, including Shannon Airport, given the likelihood of a unilateral attack by the United States on Iraq?

As I have said many times, in the case of routine landings of military aircraft at Shannon Airport, confirmation is required that the aircraft is unarmed, does not carry ammunition or explosives, and does not form part of a military exercise.

How do we know?

US military aircraft meeting these conditions have been granted permission to refuel at Shannon for a number of decades and that position continues.

They are war planes.

The other question is still a hypothetical one.

Does the Taoiseach not deal with those?

What we are seeking to do, having with many other countries put many months into a successful UN resolution, is to make sure that now it follows its course. That is what we should be concerned with. The resolution sets down very clearly what the position is and has the total support of Kofi Annan and all the other members of the Security Council. If it is breached, it will come back to the Security Council. That is what we support. The arms inspectors must report any major breaches – we have debated the Vienna Convention and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, answered a question on it. If the resolution is breached, we and everybody else on the Security Council will have a decision to make. Our position is very clear. We will support action if Iraq breaks with the terms of the current Security Council Resolution.

It is a set-up.

The Taoiseach has not answered.