State Airports.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2005

Tuesday, 13 December 2005

Questions (286)

John Gormley

Question:

321 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Transport the way in which the US Federal Aviation Administration, according to the recently released report on extraordinary rendition flights from Amnesty International, states that, from September 2001 to September 2005, six CIA chartered planes (details supplied) landed at Shannon Airport 50 times and flight records indicate they took off 35 times; the reason there are discrepancies between the landing and take-off figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39109/05]

Written answers

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

Shannon Airport management has informed my Department that in the period from September 2001 to September 2005 the six aircraft referred to landed at Shannon Airport 43 times and departed from Shannon Airport 43 times. All flights landing in and departing from Shannon are recorded.

These aircraft landed for technical purposes, that is, they were technical or refuelling stops. As stated previously in accordance with the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, aircraft may come into Ireland for technical stops such as for refuelling purposes, without notifying the Department of Transport.

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. I also understand that the US authorities have confirmed that they would not transit Irish airspace or use Irish airports for this purpose without seeking the authorisation of the Irish authorities.