Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State. Listening to this debate is like listening to a record player because it has been repeatedly pointed out by the Minister of State and other speakers that the Government is completely opposed to the practice of extraordinary rendition and would never allow it. The Government's position stands as fact. We cannot deviate from the fact that the Government made its concerns known to the highest level of the US Government and we were reassured that no attempts were made to use Irish airports or territory for the purpose of transferring and transporting prisoners. The US has stated authoritatively that prisoners have not been transferred through Irish territory. I accept that assurance and will not try to dig holes in it. Comprehensive, factual assurances were given through the ambassador and they are not open to other interpretations.

Some questions were raised by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Terry Davis — I am a member of the Irish delegation to the Council. Mr. Davis stated that our response did not need further clarification. I will not challenge that statement; why would I? The Government's response set out clearly the legal situation here with regard to illegal deprivation of liberty and the role of the Garda and other authorities in preventing such deprivation and investigating irrelevant allegations. The Garda Síochána has investigated six complaints by the public related to extraordinary rendition, but found no unlawful activity occurred. The Garda is ready to investigate any further allegations where there are grounds to suspect such activity.

I note the rapporteur's report and the statement that aircraft associated with the CIA have passed through Ireland on 147 occasions. Were not people busy counting to get the figure right? Despite investigation, political and media activity and NGO scrutiny, not a shred of evidence has shown extraordinary rendition took place through Irish airports and territory. The Government has made it clear that should any evidence of such activity on our territory be found, the legal remedies would be put in place immediately.

I will uphold human rights, and I would be the first to take issue with prisoners being transported in order to be subject to torture while deprived of their liberty. I could not stand by; nor would the Government do so. I do not know why we are wrangling about this issue, since we are all singing the same tune. I suspect that there is something else behind tonight's agenda. This has been brought up time and again, and I accept the Government's reply and the statement of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern. He travelled to Europe and took on the committee. I accept that he was ready and able to discuss this and provide reassurances.

I am happy to support the amendment, but that does not stop me from saying that we must be extremely vigilant to ensure that it not happen in future.