Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will verify that no US military or chartered civilian aircraft, permitted to overfly Irish airspace or land in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, has transported prisoners captured in Afghanistan or Iraq [i]en route[/i] to non-US jurisdictions or to Guantanamo Bay; and the steps he has taken to prevent this from occurring. [24537/04]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The regulation of military and diplomatic flights through Irish airspace is a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs. The regulation of Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel is a matter for the Department of Defence.

As previously indicated to the House in reply to a similar question on 30 June 2004, under the Air Navigation and Transport Acts, there is no requirement for my Department to be notified of the transportation of prisoners through Irish airspace. However, I understand that the US authorities have confirmed to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the US has not used Irish airports for the transit of prisoners to or from the detention centre at Guantanamo or elsewhere. I also understand that the US side has confirmed that they would not transit Irish airspace or use Irish airports for this purpose without seeking the authorisation of the Irish authorities.