Has the Taoiseach had time to reflect on the Government's position regarding overflights of this country by US military aircraft in light of historical facts and the horrific outcome of the invasion of Iraq, including, as he said, taking care of civilian targets? Has he had time, since 20 March, to think again about his statement that Ireland has made overflights available to the United States for the past 50 years, and that it is factually and logically incorrect, according to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, for me or other Opposition spokespersons to suggest that the Government motion represents a departure from established policy?

Has the Taoiseach managed to study the details of what the past 50 years have brought about? In the 1950s, the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Frank Aiken, stated that permission would be granted subject to the understanding that in the event of serious deterioration in the political situation in Europe or the Middle East, its authorisation would lapse. Former Deputy Peter Barry, Minister for Foreign Affairs in the 1980s, stated that clearance is not granted where troop-carrying aircraft is on route to military exercises. More recently, in 1989, the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, the late Brian Lenihan, repeating the criteria, stated that the aircraft must not carry arms, ammunition or explosives. In light of that, does the Taoiseach recognise that, far from being a reiteration of long-standing policy, this is a clear departure from long-standing policy and that the motion put before us by the Government was an attempt to mislead this House because clearly heavy military equipment is overflying this State and the Government needs to reflect on its position?

Guidelines are laid down and the understanding of the American administration is that those guidelines are fulfilled, that heavy equipment is not carried in overflights. Last week I had an opportunity of talking to the German Chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, who has taken an anti-war position, as everybody will be aware. Most of the heavy equipment is moving through his jurisdiction. I think he resents the fact that people have been criticising him because he has several thousand troops involved in the protection of bases and in the facilitation of the movement of this heavy equipment. While he has been against the war and has taken the same view in the UN as we did, he has done all he can to facilitate the movement of this equipment.

We know where the Germans stand, but where do the Irish stand?

The Deputy knows where I stand. He asked me if I changed my position. I have not changed my position.