Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 221: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will clarify Ireland's position regarding the US harbouring persons (details supplied). [42997/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The individuals to whom the Deputy refers, Mr. Orlando Bosch and Mr. Luis Posada Carriles, were detained in Caracas in 1976, and charged with the bombing of Cubana Airlines flight 455 on 6 October 1976, in which all 73 people on board died. Mr. Carriles escaped detention in 1985, while Mr. Bosch was released two years later.

Since May 2005, Mr. Carriles has been detained in US custody, charged with illegally entering US territory. The US Government has decided not to grant the extradition requests for Mr. Carriles submitted by the Venezuelan and Cuban authorities; it is my understanding that this U.S. decision is based on the principle of non-refoulement. This principle, which is contained in Article 3.1 of the United Nations Convention against Torture, requires States not to expel, return ("refouler") or extradite persons to another State where there are substantial grounds for believing that they would be in danger of being subjected to torture.

These cases are legal, bilateral matters between the countries concerned and not ones on which it would be appropriate for the Government to take a position.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is correct that Ireland does not have a position on the 3,478 Cubans killed and 2,099 maimed at the hands of US based terrorists groups following his dismissive answers to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 373 and 374 of 5 December 2006; and if he will clarify Ireland's position on this matter. [42998/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, Ireland, along with our EU partners, condemns all acts of terrorism, regardless of their target or motivation. Terrorism can never be justified by any cause, reason or ideology. However, as I made clear in my reply to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question No. 373 of 5 December, in the absence of any specific information regarding the allegations made by him, I am not in a position to make a more detailed comment on the matter.