Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy has raised a number of wider issues on extraordinary rendition which have been dealt with on a number of occasions on the floor and in committees of this House. As recently as yesterday, the Taoiseach reiterated to the House our unequivocal opposition to the practice of extraordinary rendition. The Taoiseach went on to state that none of the various investigations into allegations of extraordinary rendition, whether by the European Parliament or the Council of Europe, has revealed any evidence, or even a single concrete or credible allegation, that any person has been subject to extraordinary rendition through Ireland. He made it clear that no other state has adopted the inspection measures of the type which some have recommended.

As I am responding to this matter on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I intend to confine myself in my reply to the only potentially relevant matter for which he has responsibility to the House, the role of the Garda Síochána.

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