Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

The House will want to stand back from this report and not rush to make a judgment on it. This is a draft and not a final report. In response to Deputy Allen's question, I do not believe it will be raised at the Foreign Ministers' meeting next week. I have not spoken to the Minister directly but it must be considered before it is presented in its final form. That is the first point I wish to make.

The second point on which I want to be abundantly clear is that we reject absolutely Senator Marty's view that this country is either actively or passively in collusion with the United States of America on the extraordinary rendition issue. When this became an issue, Ireland was one of the first countries to seek meetings and speak directly to the Americans in respect of it. We questioned them in specific terms and we received an absolute, factual and categorical response, namely, that no such prisoners were brought through Shannon Airport. It has not happened in the past, it is not happening now and it will not happen in the future. It is important that all of us in this House understand the Government's position on this matter, which is consistent. It is not a mantra, as Deputy O'Sullivan said, rather it is a strong position under international law.

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