Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Further to what the Deputy said was taking place in Shannon, the report clearly states and shows that nothing was taking place there. Ireland was one of only three countries that received categorical and unqualified assurances on the non-use of their territory for what is called extraordinary rendition.

As to whether members of the Garda Síochána have a legal basis to board planes, it is the strong advice of the Attorney General to the Government that they do. Some time ago, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform assured Deputies and the wider public that gardaí had full power to board civilian chartered aircraft such as those about which many of these allegations have been made.

As for the three cases referred to in the report, I have some information on the type of complaints made. Ultimately, however, it is a matter for the Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions to make an independent determination as to whether there is enough evidence in that respect. As regards the two cases that were referred to the DPP, it is quite clear that he said there was insufficient evidence. The complaints related to a regurgitation of media reports of allegations that Shannon was being used.

Of 41 reports that have already been sent to the Council of Europe as of midnight on Monday, Ireland's is one of the most comprehensive. It clearly states and shows that as far as the Government and its agencies are concerned, Shannon was not used in any way for extraordinary rendition. It also shows that the constant assurances given by the Americans, from Condoleezza Rice down, are verified.

As for the legal basis for Guantanamo, it is a fact that the US administration has already disputed the report from the special rapporteurs. The US administration also states that it has the legal basis for the presence of the Guantanamo facility. In our view, however, allegations of torture there must be investigated. As far as we are concerned, we fully endorse the views of Kofi Annan on the necessity either to charge or release those detained in Guantanamo Bay and that, ultimately, the facility should be closed.

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