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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 5

Written Answers. - Terrorist Attacks.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

177 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government was shown conclusive evidence, similar to that shown to other Governments, that the organisation of Osama bin Laden was responsible for the terrorist attack in New York on 11 September 2001; the use of Irish air space which has occurred in the global fight against terrorism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25322/01]

On 3 October, I received a briefing from the US ambassador to Ireland on the investigation into the terrorist attacks of 11 September in the US. The ambassador disclosed to me certain information, gathered from intelligence and other sources, which appeared to link directly a number of the suspected attackers to the al-Qaeda group and Osama bin Laden. I am not in a position to say whether the information disclosed to me was similar to information disclosed to other states on a bilateral basis, although it was broadly the same as that outlined to representatives of EU member states in a briefing given that afternoon in Brussels. The Deputy will appreciate that, for obvious security reasons, I cannot go into detail as to the information I received.

With regard to the use of Irish air space which has occurred in the global fight against terrorism, this information is being compiled as a matter of urgency and will be communicated as soon as possible to the Deputy.
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