Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent meeting in Washington with the US Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39308/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I met with Secretary of State Rice in Washington, D.C., on 1 December 2005. We discussed a number of bilateral and foreign policy issues.

The Secretary of State expressed the strong and continuing support of the United States for the peace process in Northern Ireland. She also conveyed the administration's position on the undocumented, including the desirability of putting in place early, comprehensive immigration reform legislation. The Secretary of State and I reviewed the issue of extradition between Ireland and the United States.

On renditions, Dr. Rice confirmed the categorical assurances already received that Shannon Airport had not been used for this purpose and would not be so used without the permission of the Irish authorities. I set out the Government's concerns at wider allegations regarding the possible abuse of human rights during the US Government's counter-terrorism activities. We also discussed the prospects for progress in the Middle East peace process, in Iraq and in Afghanistan, and in regard to UN reform.