Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I agree with Deputy Sargent's comments about the deaths of three inmates at Guantanamo Bay. The full circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear but the fact that three detainees committed suicide is deeply troubling. I welcome the promise by the US Government to hold a full review of procedures used at the camp. It has been agreed that the International Committee of the Red Cross may shortly undertake another visit to the camp.

In respect of the legal basis on which persons at Guantanamo Bay are being detained, the Government's position on the condition and status of detainees is clear and has been consistently conveyed to the US authorities. We believe that all detained persons are entitled to the protection of international human rights instruments and, where applicable, international humanitarian law. I understand the Irish Government was the first government to call for the closure of Guantanamo Bay and did so long before other EU governments. I share the view expressed by many people, including the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, that those held at Guantanamo Bay should either be charged or released and that the US should close the facilities. We have expressed this view on highly desirable humanitarian grounds. I agree with Deputy Sargent's comments.

As the Minister for Foreign Affairs stated, a civilian aircraft carrying US military personnel landed at Shannon Airport for a technical refuelling stop on route from Kuwait to the US. It emerged on Monday that US authorities had inadvertently failed to seek the consent for this. Such transfers of prisoners are permitted under international domestic law, however consent was not sought. The Minister for Foreign Affairs raised this with the US ambassador last night and undertook to examine our procedures to ensure that these events do not re-occur.

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