Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2004
356 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Transport if he has investigated reports that a Gulfstream jet (details supplied) which was used to illegally transport al-Qaeda suspects to Guantanamo Bay and Egypt, has been recorded as landing at Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24286/04]
View answerAs I indicated in earlier replies on this matter to parliamentary questions on 7 and 19 October 2004, my Department has been informed by Shannon Airport management that this particular aircraft, number N379P, owned by Premier Executive Transport Services, a small US airline, has used Shannon airport thirteen times in the last five years, 2000 to 2004. The aircraft has not used any other Irish airport. Each landing was a technical stop, that is, for refuelling or other technical reasons. On no occasion did any passengers join or leave the flight at Shannon.
The aircraft used Shannon once in each year of 2000, 2001 and 2003, and ten times in 2002, and not at all so far in 2004. On these occasions the aircraft was routed from Shannon to airports or airbases in the UK, USA, or Canada.
Furthermore, I understand that the US authorities have confirmed to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the US has not used Irish airports for the transit of prisoners to or from the detention centre at Guantanamo or elsewhere. I also understand that the US side has confirmed that they would not transit Irish airspace or use Irish airports for this purpose without seeking the authorisation of the Irish authorities.
