Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received a recent communication from Amnesty International outlining a framework for the closure of Guantánamo Bay, the operation of which has seriously undermined international human rights law; his views on this letter; if he or members of his Department have raised the issue with US counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30895/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have received the correspondence from Amnesty International to which the Deputy refers. A response outlining the Government's position on this matter has been issued by my Office. As the Deputy will be aware from my responses to previous Parliamentary Questions on this matter, 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, a position which is shared by the EU as a whole. Human rights and humanitarian standards have to be maintained while combating terrorism. The Government has repeatedly stated its desire to see the United States Administration take steps to release or bring to trial all detainees in accordance with established legal norms, and to close Guantánamo Bay as soon as possible. Ireland has raised the issue of the detainees in Guantánamo Bay with the US authorities on numerous occasions. In all contacts with the US authorities, Ireland has been assured that the US is aware of their obligations under international law. The United States is well aware of the Government's concerns about reports of prisoner abuse in Guantánamo Bay as outlined above.