Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 267: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, his views on whether all states are following this convention when travelling through Irish airspace; if he is satisfied that no extraordinary rendition flights transporting prisoners for torture or imprisonment have passed through Irish or Irish controlled airspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38947/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation deals with civil aircraft and hence its implementation in Ireland falls primarily within the area of responsibility of the Minister for Transport. The convention provides that state aircraft, which it defines as those used in military, customs and police services, are not covered by the convention and that such aircraft may not overfly or land in a State "without authorization by special agreement or otherwise, and in accordance with the terms thereof." In accordance with the requirements of the convention, such aircraft must have authorisation to land in or overfly the State.

The convention also provides that each contracting state may not use civil aviation for any purpose inconsistent with the aims of the convention, among which is the development of international civil aviation in a safe and orderly manner. I am unaware that any contracting state is acting otherwise than in accordance with the convention.

Moreover, I have no knowledge, nor do I have any reason to believe, that flights such as the Deputy describes have passed through Irish or Irish controlled airspace. We have not permitted, and we cannot and will not permit, any flight engaged in so-called "extraordinary rendition" to pass through an Irish airport or through Irish or Irish-controlled airspace.