Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the types of torture depicted in the documentary film The Road To Guantánamo have been confirmed as having taken place; and if the Government has made any formal complaint to the US Government regarding these occurrences. [21518/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland holds the view that those detained in Guantánamo must be treated in accordance with the requirements of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. This position is shared by our EU partners, and the issue was most recently discussed at last weekend's meeting of Foreign Ministers. It was agreed that human rights and humanitarian standards have to be maintained while combating terrorism. Dialogue with the United States is continuing, in particular among legal advisers.

Following the publication on 16 February 2006 of the joint report of the UN Commission on Human Rights' Special Procedures, I endorsed the view of the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, that those held in Guantánamo Bay should either be charged or released, and that the US should close the facility.

The Government has repeatedly raised its concerns on this issue with the US, most recently during the Taoiseach's meeting with President Bush on 17 March 2006.