NATO's top military commander has said that if the US military was prevented from using Shannon Airport, it "probably would" damage the relationship between the United States and Ireland.
General Alexus Grynkewich also said there would be significant security implications should access be lost.
The general is NATO's Supreme Allied Commander in Europe and Commander of US European Command.
In an interview with RTÉ’s Six One, during his first visit to Ireland, he described Shannon Airport as "a very important logistics hub".
"It allows America to project power and keep threats at bay from all over the world.
"I think there’s some significant security implications from losing access there.
"Would we be able to find somewhere else that we could use?
"Perhaps, but Ireland’s been a great partner by providing access there for years and that’s let us hold terrorist threats at bay, that’s helped us to stabilise Iraq and other places," Gen Grynkewich said.
"I would just use as evidence issues that we had with access and basing during recent operations in Iran - from a US perspective.
"That was very unhelpful and you’ve heard President (Donald) Trump say that."
'In our advantage' for Ireland, US and NATO to work together
Asked if Ireland was regarded as a weak link in terms of protecting critical infrastructure at the edge of Europe, the general said: "I certainly think we all have an interest in making sure that they are appropriately defended.
"We have seen critical underwater infrastructure like that be attacked in other places through hybrid warfare, dragging an anchor across it, etc.
"As a military commander, some of my military communications go across those cables as well, so it becomes a real military concern of mine.
"I would not use those types of terms because I think that impugns whether, ultimately, Irish sovereign decisions" when it comes to its strategy of neutrality and its place in the world.
He added: "It’s likely in our advantage to work together" on securing "that infrastructure together in order to ensure that commerce and other threats don’t take hold".
Gen Grynkewich said it was hard for him to judge if Ireland has a negative view of NATO.
"I certainly haven’t felt that being here on the streets of Dublin," he said.
"I certainly haven’t felt that when I’ve engaged with Irish leaders across many different places.
"In general terms, I think because of the neutral stance that you have, you probably look a little bit askance at NATO and (whether) that’s something that we would really want to be part of, or not, or what’s the value of our partnership.
"But I tell you, in an increasingly complex world I think there probably is value to Ireland."
The general added that "as a partner, I’m certainly happy with the access that I’m going to have here engaging with some of your leaders – both military and in political leadership - I’m really looking forward to that."
You can see the full interview on the RTÉ News YouTube channel
