Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to suggestions that a plane chartered by the US Government and carrying prisoners facing torture in other countries, for example, Syria, uses Shannon Airport for landing or refuelling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13671/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 152, 94 and 214 of 2 February 2005, 8 March 2005 and 22 March 2005, respectively, regarding the alleged illegal use of Shannon Airport for the transit of US prisoners.

This matter has been raised in discussions with the US authorities. They have confirmed that they do not use Irish airports for this purpose and that they will not seek to use Irish airports for prisoner transit without seeking the authorisation of the Irish authorities.