John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 82: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's response to the recent report from the European Parliament criticising Ireland on the issue of the rendition of terrorist suspects on CIA flights; his views on a Dáil inquiry on the subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10588/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions Nos. 83 and 113 of 8 February, and No. 229 of 21 February, all of which deal with precisely this question.

I was one of only two Ministers for Foreign Affairs to attend a meeting of the European Parliament's temporary committee investigating extraordinary rendition, the TDIP committee. There is no suggestion in the TDIP committee's report that extraordinary rendition, which I once again strongly condemn, took place through Irish territory, and I welcome that. It is consistent with the clear and repeated assurances that we have received from the US authorities.

However, I have clearly stated my regret that certain members of the TDIP committee squandered the opportunity to produce a forward-looking document. Instead it contains, as Dr. Maurice Manning, President of the Irish Human Rights Commission, has been reported as saying, "a lot of political point-scoring". Such was the degree of partisanship in the final report that certain Irish MEPs on the TDIP committee felt that they could not vote on it.

That has resulted in several strange elements in the report. In particular, I highlight its call for a ban on all CIA aircraft landing in Ireland. That is misguided for two reasons. First, Ireland is the only country for which such a ban is demanded. That peculiar situation is explained by the fact that the ban call results from an amendment tabled by an Irish MEP. Second, the call for an absolute ban on landings by CIA-operated aircraft in Ireland is based on an illegitimate assumption that all CIA-operated flights are inherently sinister.

There are many legitimate reasons for international co-operation in intelligence matters. The report's suggestion that all such co-operation by Ireland should be cancelled because of a risk of extraordinary rendition, which it implicitly recognises does not occur here, defies logic. Similarly, the report's call for the Government "to agree to launch a parliamentary inquiry into the use of Irish territory as part of the CIA rendition circuit" ignores the fact that it is for the Oireachtas to decide its own agenda. It also ignores the fact that Seanad Éireann has on three separate occasions, most recently on 31 January, voted not to institute a specific inquiry. Those issues have been extensively debated in the Houses of the Oireachtas, and both Houses have passed motions supporting the Government's policy, the Seanad most recently on 31 January, and the Dáil on 14 June 2006.

Rather than calling for further inquiries, it is time to focus on what concrete measures we might take to help prevent or deter extraordinary rendition using European territory. I have repeatedly highlighted the need to examine the regulation of aviation. It is with that objective that my Department is exploring with partners in the EU and in the International Civil Aviation Organisation the issues I have raised in this regard. Those discussions are at an early stage, but nonetheless they have the potential to be productive. It is clear that for any reforms in the area to be effective, they will require to be implemented at a European level, at least.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is the Minister not being entirely disingenuous when he says that this is a matter for the Oireachtas? In both Houses, the Government parties have a majority. If they so wished, they could have an investigation into extraordinary rendition, but they clearly do not want one. Why do the Government parties, the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil, resist calls for such an investigation? Might it not be the start of a process allowing us to get to the bottom of this and find out exactly what has gone on?

The Minister must accept the clear and undeniable fact that aeroplanes used for extraordinary rendition have stopped at Shannon to refuel. He goes on to state in his reply that some CIA flights are quite innocuous. However, today we have seen that City of Derry International Airport is expected to be the first in Europe officially to ban controversial CIA flights transporting terror suspects to secret prisons. If Derry can do that, why can we not do the same in the Republic? What is the problem with that?

Perhaps the Minister might also clarify this. He has spoken of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, stating that it needed to be amended. What precise amendments does he have in mind? Before me I have Article 16 of the convention, which seems quite clear:

The appropriate authorities of each of the contracting States shall have the right, without unreasonable delay, to search aircraft of the other contracting States on landing or departure, and to inspect the certificates and other documents prescribed by this Convention.

Perhaps the Minister might answer those questions, starting with the last.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I can provide no better quotation to show the committee's bias than one from Simon Coveney MEP, who said, before the report was passed, that he did not feel that the original paragraph was balanced in its treatment on Ireland. He said that it exaggerated the numbers and proposed an amendment but did not turn up to vote for it. Mr. Marty has been quoted on several occasions. The Deputy asked regarding the number of inquiries. There are approximately three international inquiries under way in this regard, and Mr. Marty stated that "We undermine our credibility and limit the possibility for serious discussion if we make allegations that are ambiguous, exaggerated or unsubstantiated".

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On a point of order——

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I did not interrupt the Deputy. I can quote no better person than——

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I did not ask that. I asked a quite specific question.

Séamus Pattison (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is not a point of order.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Stephen Grey——

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I asked specific questions, but they are not being answered.

Séamus Pattison (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Please allow the Minister to reply.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Stephen Grey, a New York Times correspondent who gave evidence to the committee, stated that it was highly unlikely that Shannon would be used in any way, shape or form. That was supported by Tom Cloonan, an Irish defence expert, who stated that he had many discussions with people involved in Guantánamo who said quite clearly that Shannon was never used for extraordinary rendition. The call I made regarding the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation is based on this. When I examined the issue closely, it defied my logic that aeroplanes should be allowed to fly in under the convention of 1944 giving very little information on what or whom they are carrying to the authorities where they are landing or transiting.

The Deputy referred to City of Derry Airport, whose gesture was pyrrhic. Extraordinary rendition is banned in any airport in the Republic, private or public; we do not and will not allow it. The Garda Síochána has received six complaints from members of the public, including Members, some of them present as I speak. On no occasion has it received any evidence to warrant an investigation, but when an allegation was made by someone known to the Deputy, who stated that an unmarked Boeing aircraft had been observed at Shannon on 23 or 24 November, that complaint was investigated. It was established that the aircraft in question was owned by a non-commercial, Dubai state organisation and was being used to transport race horses to that country.

One famous jet was supposed to be rendering people around the world in an extraordinary manner. In fact, it was on a golfing trip up to Derry, Sligo and a number of other airports.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Sure.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

They never went on board the aeroplane. They asked a cleaner if she had seen anything.

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Welcome to the twilight zone.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is no evidence.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is a farce.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I can give the Deputy more if he wants.

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Horses for courses.