John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

Turning to the specifics of the motion, I would like to speak for a moment on the allegation that Shannon is being used as a part of a clandestine Central Intelligence Agency operation to transfer so-called "unlawful combatants" to countries where the torture of prisoners is routinely practised. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and his officials have repeatedly raised the matter with the US authorities and have been given categorical assurances on this matter. Despite these assurances I still have concerns and would urge anybody with credible information that such activities are taking place to contact the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, who has stated that a full investigation would take place in the event of such evidence arising.