Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the prospect of Israel joining NATO anti-terrorism naval patrols in the Mediterranean. [6966/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The first meeting at the level of Defence Minister between the 26 NATO countries and the southern Mediterranean countries was held in Italy on 10 February 2006. Israel was represented at the meeting, as were Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia. The Ministers agreed to develop further their co-operation in areas, including defence reform, training and response to natural and man-made disasters. The Government believes that the question of participation by Israel, or any of the other Mediterranean countries, in joint NATO military or naval activities is a matter for decision by the membership of NATO.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's view as to whether it has a responsibility under international law to ensure Ireland does not serve indirectly as a link in US extraordinary renditions where planes transit through Irish territory [i]en route[/i] to or returning from such missions; the Government's view of the likely implication for Ireland's duties under international law of the arrival at Shannon Airport of a plane (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7114/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is satisfied that it is fully in compliance with its obligations under international law in regard to the issue of so-called "extraordinary renditions". With regard to the landing at Shannon Airport of the plane mentioned in the Deputy's question, the allegations made about it and other planes are based on the retrospective imposition of a pattern of movement on flight data some considerable time after the fact and which do not involve a claim of illegal activity on Irish territory. In this regard, as I have repeatedly stated in the House, the Government has received categorical and unambiguous assurances from the US authorities that prisoners have not been transferred through Irish territory, and would not be, without our permission.