Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made representations to the US Administration in the past six months concerning the detaining of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2811/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has, on a number of occasions, made known its concerns to the US Government regarding the treatment and status of the detainees held at Guantanamo Bay. I reiterated these concerns at a meeting with the US Ambassador to Ireland in December 2004. The United States is well aware of the Government's view that those detained at Guantanamo Bay should be treated in accordance with the requirements of international human rights and humanitarian law. These concerns are shared by our EU partners.

In expressing these views, the Government fully recognises the danger posed by terrorist networks such as al-Qaeda. Together with our EU partners, we are committed to countering all forms of international terrorism. However, it is vital that the highest standards of international human rights and humanitarian law are maintained as we work to counter terrorism.

It is my understanding that the International Committee of the Red Cross has been regularly visiting the US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay since early 2002 for the purpose of monitoring that persons held there are treated in accordance with applicable international laws and standards. I welcome the recent release of a number of detainees from Guantanamo Bay and hope that further releases will follow.

I can assure the Deputy that in my future contacts with the US Administration I will raise human rights issues when appropriate. I look forward to meeting the new Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, and to discussing a range of international issues with her.