Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

From his extensive contacts at these meetings in Europe can the Taoiseach give some indication — and the period of reflection is nearly over — of the direction in which the debate on the constitution is going, as far as the European political establishment is concerned? What will emerge from the debate? Will the constitution be put again to the French and Dutch people in its present form and therefore to the Irish people? Perhaps the Taoiseach could elaborate on that.

Did the Taoiseach have discussions with the many people he met, in particular the Hungarian prime minister, about the controversy that has developed over the kidnap and transport of prisoners for torture in countries outside of the European Union? What attitude have the other EU states adopted towards this issue? Are they all as trusting as the Taoiseach in accepting the denials of the United States Government?

There is something that intrigues me that the Taoiseach, perhaps, might clarify immediately. He said previously, and again today, that he accepts wholeheartedly the assurances of the United States Government in regard to this country not being used for these so-called renditions, in other words, flights to torture. In view of the fact that the same Government gave the Taoiseach a totally fraudulent reason for the invasion of Iraq, does he not suspect that, perhaps, he should not trust it a second time? Has it occurred to him that it might be lying to him again?

Last, we know that CIA-chartered planes——

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