The Tánaiste has cautioned against suggestions that Ireland is anything other than a neutral country, saying people's lives could be put in danger as a result.
Joan Burton made her comments during a Dáil discussion on the use of Shannon Airport by US Military Troops.
Deputy Mick Wallace has criticised the Government for failing to take a position on the searching of planes, saying its allowing the mid-west facility "to be used as a military base to bomb the homes of people and destroy untold lives".
But Tánaiste Burton says that any suggestion that Shannon is a military airport is "fanciful" and has warned that such commentary could be dangerous.