Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 October 2013
3. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he will take in response to the statement on 11 September 2013 by Nils Muižnieks, Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe, that countries like Ireland which colluded with the kidnapping and torture of terror suspects by the CIA must investigate and atone for their actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41527/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have clearly stated on numerous occasions that the use of Irish airspace and airports for extraordinary rendition operations has not and will not be permitted under any circumstances. The current programme for Government states clearly that the 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". Ireland does not 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.
We have co-operated fully with an investigation of the Council of Europe of the various allegations made in regard to secret prisons and extraordinary rendition. Out of 46 responses received, Ireland's was one of nine that was adjudged to be sufficiently comprehensive not to require additional clarification. Recent reports on extraordinary renditions do not provide any new information or evidence to support the assertion that Ireland permitted such activity. In particular, they do not suggest that any person has been subjected to extraordinary rendition through Irish airspace and airports. It has been made clear by the current and previous Governments that such activity would be considered completely unacceptable and illegal by Ireland.
However, should a person have evidence to suggest that any individual subject to extraordinary rendition has transited through an Irish airport, this evidence should be made available to An Garda Síochána so that an investigation can take place.
I am sure the Tánaiste is familiar with the report by Mr. Nils Muižnieks, Commissioner for Human Rights at the European Council. Mr. Muižnieks has been very critical of the failure by various governments to investigate possible instances of extraordinary rendition in their jurisdiction. They have proved unwilling, he says, to "establish the truth and ensure accountability for their complicity in the unlawful programme of 'extraordinary renditions' - involving abduction, detention and ill treatment of suspected terrorists”. He makes the point that the Western response to the events of 9 September 2011 has probably caused more suffering and violation of human rights than makes sense.
The Tánaiste referred to the need for evidence. We learned from WikiLeaks that a former Minister, Dermot Ahern, was conscious of the fact that extraordinary renditions had taken place through Shannon. I have not heard Mr. Ahern confirm that himself, but most of the information WikiLeaks has provided to date has been quite accurate. Mr. Muižnieks's report, which is appropriately entitled Globalising Torture, lists several examples of rendition flights which could have been linked to Shannon. Ireland, he says, is one of a number of countries with questions to answer. The reality is that if we do not look inside the aircraft in question, it is very difficult to be sure that everything is above board. I recall the Tánaiste being very keen, when he was in opposition, that these airplanes should be inspected. I am disappointed that he is no longer so keen now that he is in government.
It is important that we have accuracy on this issue. On 11 September the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Nils Muižnieks, issued a statement in which he criticised certain governments which had been unwilling to establish truth and accountability in regard to extraordinary renditions carried out by the CIA in Europe between 2000 and 2006. The reference to Ireland was made in a different part of the report, as one of 14 countries which, Mr. Muižnieks said, had still to account fully for their co-operation with what he described as the unlawful US programme.
I have two points to make in this regard. First, this claim is at variance with the 2006 position wherein Ireland was asked by the Council of Europe to clarify its position in this regard and its response was accepted by the Council. Second, to remove any doubt, this country does not and will not co-operate with unlawful activity by any other country in respect of our airports or airspace. If there is specific information which we need to follow up, we will do so.
Mr. Muižnieks's report lists 54 countries, spanning the continents of Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America, which he claims have questions to answer on extraordinary rendition. Ireland is included among that number.
Amnesty International gave the example of the rendition of Khaled al-Maqtari. His plane refuelled at Shannon Airport on the day before it transferred him to the infamous Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, where he was tortured. I do not know how familiar the Tánaiste is with this. During the time of Rory Brady, the Office of the Attorney General offered advice to the Garda Síochána, as a result of which the Garda Síochána has not searched any CIA or US military aircraft at Shannon Airport that may have been involved in extraordinary rendition. Did this order come from the Office of the Attorney General? Is the Tánaiste aware of this?
I am not aware of that advice. The Garda Síochána and the members of our Defence Forces are regularly positioned at Shannon Airport to look at this. We are conscious of ensuring Shannon Airport is not used for any unlawful or illegal purpose. If there is specific information that we can follow up on, we will do so. The Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces are aware of the Government's position and our determination to enforce it.
Does the Tánaiste not think that we should search the planes?
