Dáil debates

Tuesday, 4 November 2008

 

Human Rights Abuses.

10:00 pm

Photo of Billy TimminsBilly Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me time to speak on this issue. The issue of extraordinary rendition has been very contentious and controversial here in the past two to three years. The Irish Human Rights Commission, under the presidency of former Senator Maurice Manning, produced a very detailed report and representatives of the commission appeared before the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs to discuss the issues at which time we had a very lively debate.

International air law has a codified framework in the Convention on International Civil Aviation, commonly known as the Chicago Convention, which was signed in December 1944. Article 1 states that each state has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above its territory — in other words the land area and the territorial waters. While recent reports seem to indicate that there has been a change in Government policy, on examination I cannot see how the policy has changed. Fine Gael, as I am aware is the Government, is totally opposed to the process of extraordinary rendition. We also want to see the facility at Guantanamo Bay closed, as I am aware the Government also does. These reports state the Government has established a Cabinet committee on aspects of human rights. I understand that this committee was set up a number of months ago and perhaps the Minister might clarify that for me. It was certainly announced some time ago, but may not be set up yet. The Minister's predecessor mentioned it in some debate.

The report suggests that the Cabinet committee will examine and strengthen legal provisions to ensure the Garda and airport authorities have adequate legal powers for search and inspection of aircraft. This may involve strengthening the provisions of the Air Navigation and Transport Acts. I want the Minister to outline the Government policy in this regard. What changes, if any, have taken place? If no changes have occurred, what changes does the Government propose to take in light of this article being published? My concern is that the article has no basis and this great heralded change of direction is inaccurate. Perhaps the Minister will enlighten me. I will give him the benefit of the doubt until he does.

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