Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the steps the Government intends to take in response to the Council of Europe's recommendation published in the week commencing 27 February 2006 calling for states to introduce tougher controls to ensure they can check whether aircraft passing through their territory are being used for illegal activity. [9999/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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On 1 March 2006, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Terry Davis, published a report containing his preliminary analysis — as distinct from specific recommendations — of the 46 replies he received from member states in response to his questionnaire on the possible occurrence of the "unacknowledged deprivation of liberty" in those states. The Government's reply to this questionnaire was made public following its submission on 20 February 2006, and is available on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs, at www.dfa.ie.

I have already welcomed publication of the Secretary General's analysis. From an Irish perspective, it is particularly satisfying that ours was one of a minority of only 13 replies he adjudged to be sufficiently comprehensive not to require additional clarification. This report makes clear that Ireland's approach to the issues involved is very much in line with that of other states.

The Secretary General has identified in general terms some issues which he believes require further attention but, as I have indicated above, has made no particular recommendations. He has, however, indicated that he intends to make more specific proposals to the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers in due course. In conjunction with our partners, the Government awaits these proposals and will examine them carefully once they are made.