Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I appreciate what the Taoiseach has said but Senator Marty will not board aircraft at Shannon Airport. The question is whether the Taoiseach is still relying on diplomatic assurance and, from his reply, the answer appears to be that he is. I have cited three authorities that say reliance on diplomatic assurance is not sufficient, those being the European Court of Human Rights, the UN Commissioner responsible for monitoring matters relating to torture and the Irish Human Rights Commission, which was clear that it was not sufficient. However, as far as the Government is concerned, this is precisely where the issue rests.

Should I take it from the Taoiseach's reply that he does not intend to take any steps to be satisfied that the obnoxious procedure of extraordinary rendition is not being facilitated at Shannon Airport?

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