Gogarty calls on Government to guarantee security of Lucan if part of Bush visit
Concerns raised by comments of US Ambassador in 'Lucan Gazette' newspaper 25|03|04

Green Party TD Paul Gogarty today called on the Government to outline the details of any discussions with the US Administration regarding a proposed visit by President Bush to the Italian Ambassador's residence in Lucan. He will raise the issue on the order of business in the Dáil tomorrow.

Citing a report in the first issue of a new Lucan newspaper - the Lucan Gazette - Deputy Gogarty referred to comments made by the US Ambassador to Ireland Jim Kenny that Lucan House in Lucan village would most likely be one of the places which Mr Bush would visit, given the architectural links between it and the White House.

Paul Gogarty TD said today that, "If these reports are true, the Government will have to come clean and explain how it is going to ensure that the area ? which is in a valley - is fully secured from a terrorist attack. Equally important is the need to minimize the serious impact on residents of Lucan, who would face significant disruption to their business and personal lives, not to mention an influx of international media, a large number of protesters against the unjust war in Iraq and a heavy US security presence."

"I am calling on the Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Tanáiste, who also represents this constituency, to outline what discussions have taken place regarding a visit to Lucan and what measures they will take to ensure the President's safety and the public's safety while at the same time guaranteeing the right to protest against the US administration's foreign policy in relation to Iraq and the Middle East," concluded Deputy Gogarty.