Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am aware that the Open Society Justice Initiative report, Globalizing Torture: CIA Secret Detention and Extraordinary Rendition, contains a compilation of existing publicly available material on the subject of extraordinary rendition. It does not contain any new information or make any new allegations in respect of Ireland. In particular, it does not allege that any person has ever been subject to extraordinary rendition through Irish airspace or Irish airports.

The Government is completely opposed to the practice of extraordinary rendition. I have addressed the issues raised in this report on a number of occasions in the House when I stated Ireland does not and will not tolerate the use of our airspace or airports for any illegal purpose, including torture, rendition or the unauthorised detention of any individual. In this regard, the programme for Government states clearly that the Government "will enforce the prohibition of the use of Irish airports and related facilities for purposes not in line with the dictates of international law". The permission of the Irish Government must be sought and obtained for the transport of prisoners through Irish airports. I made clear in this House on 22 May 2012 that "under no circumstances will we grant permission for the transport of prisoners who are subject to extraordinary rendition".

Immediately following the first reports which suggested that the United States was carrying out extraordinary rendition to transit prisoners, the then Government demanded and received specific assurances from the US authorities that such prisoners had not been transferred through Irish territory, nor would they be so transferred, without our permission. I am satisfied with these assurances, which were confirmed at the highest political level. They are of a clear and categoric nature, relating to facts and circumstances within the full control of the United States Government.

It is likely that a small number of commercially leased aircraft which have been involved in legitimate commercial activities have also been involved at various other times in activities relating to extraordinary renditions. However, there is no evidence to suggest that any of these aircraft were carrying prisoners at any time when they transited through Irish airports, including Shannon Airport.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

Where allegations have been made, including by Members of the Oireachtas, these have been fully investigated by senior officers of the Garda Síochána. In no case has any evidence been adduced to support claims that extraordinary rendition had occurred. If anyone has evidence to suggest any person subject to extraordinary rendition has transited an Irish airport during this process, this evidence should be made available to the Garda Síochána in order that an investigation can take place.

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