Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the US Administration regarding reports in [i]The Washington Post[/i] that two east European countries are providing covert jail facilities to the CIA for the illegal internment of al-Qaeda suspects; if this issue has been officially raised in the EU; if he is assured that al-Qaeda suspects are not being transported to such clandestine facilities via Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33571/05]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views regarding reports in the international media, including [i]The Washington Post[/i], that suspects are being held at the request of the CIA in secret prisons in Eastern Europe; his further views on whether no signatory country to the European Convention on Human Rights is involved; if he is satisfied in this regard; and if, in view of such reports, the Government will institute random checks on the landings of such aircraft as are under contract to the agency referred to or its subsidiaries. [33479/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 92 together.

The allegation that there is or has been a network of secret prisons in Europe is a matter of very deep concern. The existence of such secret prisons would plainly be in breach of international law and of the principles upon which the EU is founded: liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.

The authors of the article which broke this story declined to identify the European states that were alleged to host these facilities. A US-based NGO subsequently named two European states, both of which strongly denied their participation in this alleged network.

I have instructed my officials to monitor closely any further developments in this area, including the outcome of any inquires by the European Commission or any other international body.

The Government has on several occasions made clear to the US authorities that it would be illegal to transit prisoners for rendition purposes through Irish territory without the express permission of the Irish authorities, acting in accordance with Irish and international law. The US authorities, for their part, have confirmed that they have not done so and that they would not do so without seeking the permission of the Irish authorities. No request for such authorisation has been received from the US authorities.

If any citizen or other person has specific evidence that Shannon Airport or any other Irish airport is being used to transit prisoners for rendition purposes, I would reiterate the suggestion in my reply of 6 October, which has also been made by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, that this evidence be shared with the Garda authorities who would be responsible for investigating such matters.