Mr. Colm O'Gorman:

I will deal with the specific question on renditions. To clarify, the three cases to which Deputy Crowe refers were revealed through research by Amnesty International. We do not suggest that the three individuals in question were transited directly through Shannon Airport, rather that the airport was used as a staging post, stop-off or refuelling point as part of the rendition circuit. This, in itself, would be contrary to international law and Ireland would be in breach of its obligations in allowing its airspace and territory to be used in this manner.

Information provided in some of the diplomatic cables revealed by WikiLeaks demonstrated that the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, was familiar with this research and the relevant facts. If the cables are to be believed, the then Minister had discussions with the deputy ambassador at the United States embassy in which he effectively sought cover should this information ever be revealed.

There are, undoubtedly, grave issues which the European Union needs to tackle regarding breaches of international law as a result of extraordinary rendition on EU territory. Ireland is involved in this entire issue and significant questions should be asked. We must first establish facts. It will not come as a mind-blowing revelation when I state Amnesty International would like a full and proper investigation of extraordinary rendition across the European Union. Ireland should certainly establish such a process. For years, we have been asking successive Irish Governments to identify the gaps in current law that allowed such violations to take place. On inspections, the first thing we need to do is establish what took place and whether it was contrary to existing national legislation or legal provision. If that is shown to be the case, we need to address that simple fact because it would clearly be in breach of our international obligations.

Those are the some of the steps we need to take. The European Parliament has spoken on this issue on a number of occasions. Perhaps Ms McGowan will elaborate.