Written answers
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Department of Foreign Affairs
Human Rights Issues
9:00 pm
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 1052: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will clarify a matter (details supplied). [30579/08]
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1056: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he and the Government have satisfied themselves with the assurances given by the US administration that aircraft using Irish airports are not being used for the transport of detainees or prisoners. [30650/08]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1052 and 1056 together.
As has been made repeatedly clear, the Government is 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 my predecessor as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D., and by President Bush to the former Taoiseach. The assurances are of a clear and categoric nature, relating to facts and circumstances within the full knowledge and control of the US Government. I am satisfied that it is appropriate for the Government to rely fully on these assurances.
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