Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

On behalf of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, I thank Deputy Higgins for raising this matter.

At the outset, let me state unequivocally that the Government is completely opposed to the practice of so-called extraordinary rendition, and our concerns in this regard have been made clear at the highest level of the US Government over an extended period of time. In response, the United States has provided categorical, unqualified assurances that Irish airports or territory have not been used for this purpose. These assurances have been specific, unambiguous and not circumscribed by any "technical legalities".

In the current programme for Government, the Government has already committed itself to prioritising enforcement of relevant legislation, including the Criminal Justice (United Nations Convention against Torture) Act 2000. In particular, Garda investigation and enforcement efforts are being supported principally by making all necessary resources available for specialised training in the provisions of relevant statutes. The Minister, Deputy Lenihan's, Department has engaged with the Garda authorities in this regard. The goal is, of course, to ensure the practice of extraordinary rendition does not occur in the State in any form.

Moreover, although not within the ambit of the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, the Government has also committed itself to seeking EU and international support to address deficiencies in elements of the regulation of civil aviation under the Chicago Convention. As Deputies may be aware, this 60-year-old convention provides no requirement for the supply of information on passenger, crew or cargo if the flight is a transit flight.

Moving to the specific concerns of Deputy Higgins, the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, understands that a private aircraft with registration No. N475LC——

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