Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has sought written assurances from the US Secretary of State to confirm that no unlawful combatants or prisoners of war have been transferred through an airport here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15310/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The issue of extraordinary rendition has been raised on numerous occasions in this House. As has been made repeatedly clear, the Government are completely opposed to the practice of the extraordinary rendition of prisoners. The Government has received specific assurances from the US authorities that such prisoners have not been transferred through Irish territory, nor would they be, without our permission. These assurances have been confirmed at the highest level, including by Secretary of State Rice to myself and by President Bush to the Taoiseach. The assurances are of a clear and categoric nature, relating to facts and circumstances within the full control of the US Government. I am satisfied that it is appropriate for the Government to rely fully on these assurances and that it is not necessary, in the context of the normal conduct of international relations, to seek them in written form from Secretary Rice.