Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I have received categorical, unambiguous and absolute assurances from the diplomatic representative of the United States in Ireland that at no time — in the past, present or future — will the United States ever seek to bring a person in custody through Ireland, using any Irish airport, in contravention of our law. These are categorical and unambiguous assurances which I have received and there are no circumscriptions or qualifications to them. In those circumstances, unless evidence was given to me that those assurances were offered in bad faith concerning past, present and future conduct, I find that I should accept them. That is the position of the Government.