Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 578: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to claims (details supplied) relating to a Gulfstream-V jet; if his attention has further been drawn to claims that the plane has flown between Washington DC and destinations that include the Guantanamo Bay prison camp in Cuba and US overseas military bases, as well as Iraq and Afghanistan; that Shannon Airport is used as a refuelling post on such flights and that the flights are for the clandestine transport of enemy combatants to undisclosed locations for extraordinary rendition, that is, flying captured terrorist suspects and prisoners of war from one country to another for detention and interrogation; if he has investigated these claims; if the use of Shannon for such purposes has ever been sought from or notified to the authorities here by the US Government; if such use is compatible with domestic law and the State's international legal commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1411/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As stated in a previous reply to a similar question on 23 November 2004, in accordance with the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation aircraft may come into Ireland for technical stops, such as for refuelling purposes, without notifying the Department of Transport. 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.

Furthermore, I understand that the US authorities have confirmed to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the United States 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 authorities have confirmed that they would transit Irish airspace or use Irish airports for this purpose without seeking the authorisation of the Irish authorities. My Department has never received any application from the US Government to operate this aircraft.