Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2012
140 Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts he has made to ensure that Irish airspace and airports cannot be used for extraordinary renditions, including flights which use Ireland en route to or from transporting prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25406/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra142 Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason that he does not consider flights that used Shannon Airport en route to or from the transporting of prisoners to Guantanamo Bay as rendition flights, despite them being acknowledged as such by the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, the Irish Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International and others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25405/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 142 together.
The issue of extraordinary rendition has been raised on numerous occasions in this House. As has repeatedly been made clear, the Government is completely opposed to the practice of the extraordinary rendition of prisoners to or from any destination, including Guantanamo Bay. As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government states that the Government "will enforce the prohibition of the use of Irish airports and related facilities for purpose not in line with the dictates of international law". In this House on 17 January 2012, I stated: "We do not tolerate and will not tolerate the use of our airspace or airports for any illegal purpose — for torture, rendition or the unauthorised detainment of any individual". This position is unchanged; Ireland remains totally opposed to the practice of extraordinary rendition.
Immediately following the first reports suggesting that the US was practising extraordinary rendition 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. These assurances 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 Government. I am satisfied, as previous Ministers have been, that it is appropriate for the Government to rely fully on these assurances. 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 related 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.
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.
