The EU summit meeting with Mr Bush in Clare at the end of June should go ahead despite fears that it could provoke major demonstrations, the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, has said.
Speaking in Dublin, the Progressive Democrat leader rejected calls on the Government to abandon the Dromoland Castle meeting following evidence of US abuse of prisoners in Iraq.
Emphasising that it is an EU/US meeting, not just one between the Government and Mr Bush, she acknowledged that Mr Bush's visit was likely to provoke major protests. "It doesn't have to take place in Ireland, but it would be very cowardly to say that we are prepared to go ahead with the summit but that we are not prepared to have it in our own country. I think that would be the worst-case scenario.
"There is no doubt that there are huge security implications. The Americans are bringing a large, large contingent of security back-up. I have no doubt that there will be protests, and that is no bad thing."
The Government has already been "very strong" in its criticisms of the treatment meted out to Iraqi prisoners.
"What has happened there is not acceptable for human beings; to treat other human beings in that fashion is absolutely despicable, and I would be one of the most pro-American politicians in this country and I have no hesitation in saying that that is a disgrace."
The conduct of the US should be criticised at the EU meeting. "It should be said, and it will be said when we meet at the end of June and before that if we have bilateral meetings."
Fine Gael has said it continued to support the holding of the summit even though the party's leader, Mr Enda Kenny, expressed doubts about it in The Sunday Times yesterday.
In an interview with the paper, Mr Kenny said: "The Taoiseach in Russia yesterday ruled this out, saying that as the EU president he was under an obligation to have (the summit) here. Well, I will be raising the issue in the Dáil to see what the opinion there is.
"A lot of meetings have been held in Brussels before, irrespective of the presidency."
However, a party spokesman last night told The Irish Times that Fine Gael wanted the Government to offer detailed information to the Dáil about the visit. Mr Kenny's remarks should be understood in the context of fears that it could provoke major demonstrations near Dromoland Castle.
