Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I support the motion. If we had continued with our efforts 12 months ago to establish an Oireachtas committee, it might not have been necessary to debate this motion today. The questions posed would already have been answered, the investigations would have taken place and we would have been in a position to satisfy public opinion. Senator Ryan and Senator O'Meara outlined the background regarding the committee that was proposed last year. At that time it appeared to be fully supported by all sides of the House and preliminary meetings had taken place. Some of the Fianna Fáil Senators are indicating otherwise but the Fianna Fáil Party was represented on the committee, as was the Labour Party, Fine Gael and the Technical Group.

We were disappointed that the committee could not get its work under way. Fundamental questions were asked at that time but in the 12 months since then they have remained unanswered. Unanswered questions mean there are no winners. This country has not benefited, the United States has not benefited and the broader issue of civil and human rights has not benefited.

Extraordinary rendition is a serious issue. It challenges us to take a stand on a matter of principle, that is, people's rights. Earlier today there were expressions of sympathy on the death of a former Member of this House, Judge Seán O'Leary. He was prepared to ask the difficult questions and take the difficult stance in defence of rights. That is the issue before the House in this debate.

There is serious evidence to suggest that Irish airspace and at least one Irish airport have been used for rendition flights. Some months ago, I listened with interest to a report on the matter at the Council of Europe. The report was not conclusive but it posed many questions which have not been answered. We now have the European Parliament report. It is not fair to focus on one Member of the European Parliament and suggest that he attempted to secure a certain type of report. The report was by a European Parliament committee comprising all the groups in the European Parliament. The report poses serious questions for this country.

Extraordinary rendition is taking place. The question is whether Ireland is facilitating it and whether Irish airspace and airports are being used. There will be no winners from the dreadful practice of extraordinary rendition in the long run. Unfortunately, over recent years the reputation and the level of admiration across the world for the United States have diminished. One or two generations ago the United States was seen as the greatest promoter and defender of human and civil rights. Whether it was during the Second World War or the Cold War, one could state without challenge that the United States defended and promoted civil and human rights. However, as a result of practices such as extraordinary rendition and the ongoing situation in Iraq, that is now questionable.

We are not doing the United States a favour by leaving questions unanswered and by failing to challenge the US Administration on this issue. The Government amendment to the motion is long on paragraphs but I am not sure what it hopes to achieve. It refers to the responses received from the US authorities and the Government's satisfaction with those responses. However, questions still remain to be answered.

The Opposition would be remiss in its duty if it did not pose those questions. Asking those questions was to be at the core of the proposed work of last year's committee of the House, as was challenging any assumptions put forward, finding out the truth of the situation and dealing with the rumours and counter-rumours. At this late stage in the life of the current Government and Oireachtas, there will not be a change of policy by the current Administration. This is disappointing because the worries and concerns of members of all parties still exist. The Government amendment to the motion and the recent statements by the Minister do not offer full and clear answers to the questions being posed.

As Members of the Oireachtas we have a duty to continue with our efforts to inquire into the possibility or otherwise of rendition flights taking place and using Irish facilities. We must challenge this possibility at all levels.

The Garda Síochána and the civil authorities must be more proactive. It is not the job of this House or the Oireachtas to direct the Garda Síochána but we must send a strong signal that we expect the security forces in case of any doubt to investigate these flights and that on-the-spot checks will be carried out wherever and whenever possible. This would at least answer some of the questions and bring some degree of clarity.

Looking at the European Parliament report, which is quite conclusive, and the Council of Europe report, which is admittedly less conclusive, one cannot escape from the fact that issues remain to be addressed. We cannot as yet state with complete certainty that Ireland is not aiding and abetting in this extraordinary rendition system. Notwithstanding public cynicism, politics at times takes on a moral purpose. We must look at this issue from a moral perspective. Extraordinary rendition is as cruel and as wrong as any type of torture taking place. It is suspected that it leads to people being grossly mistreated. In both the long and the short term it is entirely counter-productive.

In the case of the Middle East, apparent tough action is being taken from the perspective of security. Human rights are being trampled on and people's civil rights are being breached but the policy has produced nothing but bad results. It has not reduced the incidence of violence but rather has caused further violence. It has not resulted in stability but rather has caused complete instability. Extraordinary rendition is part of that jigsaw of measures which has caused today's world to be a much more dangerous place, especially in the Middle East and even parts of western Europe.

Ireland is a democratic country with an independent voice which was heard loud and clear on many occasions both at the United Nations and the European Union. We should not be afraid to have a clear position on the issue of extraordinary rendition. There should be no reason to support it and no room for doubting our position. The Labour Party motion is quite balanced and it poses the questions we all wanted to ask 12 months ago and to which answers are still required.