Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Chicago Convention, the air services administration order, the protocols used since 1959 are all in place. How we deal with these issues is a well built up practice. As controversial as these issue are, and as much concern as there is, everybody in this House and all members of the public would be deeply concerned, regardless of what countries were gone through, that any measures outside international definitions of normal investigation would be used. Everyone abhors torture and there is no argument about that. I would condemn it in the strongest terms, as would Deputy Sargent and every Deputy that raised the issue yesterday.

The facts are that we received repeated assurances by the US authorities, including the Secretary of State as late as last week, when we raised these issues and asked whether various protocols, understandings and commitments were totally adhered to. The US Secretary of State, whom we all agree is one of the most senior people in the administration, after the President and Vice-President, has given us that assurance. In the position I hold, I must accept that.

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