Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 February 2013
21. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the Globalising Torture Report regarding the use of Shannon Airport by the US CIA for extraordinary rendition flights; his further views on the information provided in the past by the US authorities on their use of Shannon Airport; and the actions, if any, he will take on foot of the report. [8879/13]
View answer55. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recently published report entitled Globalising Torture: CIA Secret Detention and Extraordinary Rendition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8953/13]
View answer64. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the report from the Open Society Justice Initiative titled Globalising Torture: CIA Secret Detention and Extraordinary Rendition (details supplied), and the use of Shannon Airport by the US CIA for flights of extraordinary rendition; his plans, if any, to investigate the matter on foot of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8963/13]
View answer70. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the report from the Open Society Justice Initiative titled Globalising Torture: CIA Secret Detention and Extraordinary Rendition (details supplied), and the use of Shannon Airport by the US CIA for flights of extraordinary rendition; his plans, if any, to investigate the matter on foot of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8962/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 55, 64 and 70 together.
The issue of extraordinary rendition has been raised on numerous occasions in this House. I have regularly stated that the Government is completely opposed to this practice and, furthermore, that Ireland does not tolerate and will not tolerate the use of our airspace or airports for any illegal purpose, including torture, rendition or the unauthorised detention of any individual. This is clearly reflected in the Programme for Government, which states that this Government “will enforce the prohibition of the use of Irish airports and related facilities for purposes not in line with the dictates of international law”.
The Open Society Justice Initiative report, CIA Secret Detention and Extraordinary Rendition, is a compilation of existing material on this subject. It does not contain any new information, or make any new allegations, in respect of Ireland.
Immediately following the first reports which suggested that the US was carrying out extraordinary rendition in order to transit prisoners, the then Government demanded and received specific assurances from the US authorities that such prisoners had not been transferred through Irish territory, nor would they be, without our permission. I am satisfied with these assurances, which were confirmed at the highest political level. They are of a clear and categoric nature, relating to facts and circumstances within the full control of the United States Government.
The permission of the Irish Government must be sought and obtained for the transport of prisoners through Irish airports. I made it clear in this House on 22 May 2012 that “under no circumstances will we grant permission for the transport of prisoners who are subject to extraordinary rendition”.
It is likely that a small number of commercially leased aircraft which have been involved in legitimate commercial activities have also been involved at various times in activities relating to extraordinary renditions. However, there is no evidence to suggest that any of these aircraft were carrying prisoners at any time when they transited through Irish airports, including Shannon Airport.
Deputies Boyd Barrett and Halligan have called for an investigation into the use of that airport by planes involved in illegal activity. Where allegations have been made, including by members of the Oireachtas, these have been fully investigated by senior officers of An Garda Síochána. In no case has any evidence been adduced to support claims that extraordinary rendition had occurred. If anyone has evidence to suggest that any person subject to extraordinary rendition has transited an Irish airport during this process, this evidence should be made available to An Garda Síochána, so that an investigation can take place.
