Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. I want to respond to two of the main questions he has put to me. On the first one regarding the allegations and claims that Irish airports have been used in some way for extraordinary rendition, I want to emphasise again to the House that the Government has on several occasions made it very clear to the United States Government that it would be illegal to transit prisoners for rendition purposes through Irish territory without the express permission of the Irish authorities, acting in accordance with Irish and international law. The United States authorities have made it very clear to this Government in response to that point that they have not done so and would not do so without seeking the permission of Irish authorities.

On the point the Deputy put to me regarding the inspection of airports, a system for dealing with requests for landing of military aircraft at Shannon Airport already is in place and already is fully implemented. It is kept under full review to make sure it is fully complied with. As already has been indicated to the Deputy, a practice is in place, which is in accordance with international practice, that foreign military aircraft passing through Ireland with the permission of the Government are not subject to routine searches or inspections. The principle of sovereign immunity applies automatically to foreign state or military aircraft, as it applies to our own.

See this speech in context