Michael D Higgins, Labour Party spokesman on foreign affairs, said that it was "highly inappropriate for an Irish minister to be welcoming back US troops from an illegal war".

Cullen, along with some Irish troops, welcomed home members of the 69th infantry of the US army from Iraq where they lost 19 of their members. Cullen, who was in the city to participate in New York's St Patrick's Day festivities, is reported to have said that it was "an honour" to represent the Irish government in welcoming the 69th infantry home from the war in Iraq.

But Higgins, who has consistently opposed the government's support of the US during its occupation of Iraq, demanded that Cullen explain his decision to take part in such a ceremony concerning a war which was never sanctioned by the UN.

Roger Cole, chair of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance, which opposes the US army's use of the Shannon stop-over, said that Cullen's participation in the New York ceremony was " no accident" and that he is a strong supporter of the US war in Iraq.

"This is yet another example of this government trying to secretly ratchet up its support of the US invasion of Iraq, " said Cole.

"Assuming the Irish army is given clearance to participate in this new European backing force, next year Irish troops could be fighting in Iran and Iraq.

"This little episode in New York is just part of the process which will incrementally lead to increased involvement by Ireland in the war in Iraq, " warned the antiwar campaigner.

But Cole said that Cullen and the rest of the government have clearly "backed the wrong horse."

A recent survey showed that 72% of the US troops in Iraq wanted to leave the country before the end of the year, said Cole. "The US is clearly losing the war in Iraq and is suffering greater proportionate losses than it did in Vietnam. You can't kill all the 1.3 billion Muslims in the world, " he said.