Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 57: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has a role in conducting random searches of US war planes or CIA operated planes travelling through Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2801/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department has no role in conducting searches, random or otherwise, in the circumstances outlined in the Deputy's question. As the Deputy is aware, the Garda Síochána is responsible for the investigation of the commission, alleged or otherwise, of offences. Where the Garda Síochána reasonably suspects that an offence is being committed, statutory powers of entry and arrest are available, subject to national and international law.

The Garda Síochána has investigated a range of complaints of alleged unlawful activity at Shannon Airport and, where appropriate, files have been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions. In all these cases, no further action was found to be warranted, owing to a lack of any evidence of unlawful activity.