Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his policy on the issue of extraordinary renditions; if there are new developments planned in this area; the implications of these new developments; if searches and inspections of aircraft are planned for Shannon Airport; if he no longer accepts assurances from the US Government in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39071/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, 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 is completely opposed to the practice of the extraordinary rendition of prisoners. I wish to reiterate at the outset that none of the various investigations into allegations of extraordinary rendition have revealed any evidence, or even resulted in a specific allegation, that any person has on any occasion been subjected to extraordinary rendition through Ireland. The Government has received clear and 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 are of a clear and categoric nature and have been confirmed at the highest level . I am confident that this would continue to be the case under a new US administration. The Government has established a Cabinet Committee on Aspects of International Human Rights. As part of its remit, the Committee has reviewed the Programme for Government commitments in relation to our total opposition to extraordinary rendition.

With a view to strengthening as necessary the legislative provisions, the Committee is to review the statutory powers currently available to the civil and police authorities regarding the search and inspection of aircraft, in the context of the obligations on the State under the Chicago Convention. We have stated on a number of occasions that the Gardaí have full powers of search and inspection where they have reasonable grounds for suspicion. In keeping with the Programme for Government and in the light of international developments, we believe that this is an opportune time to confirm that the legislation is as effective as it can be in this area, and to address, if necessary, any area where it may be improved.

The Committee has agreed that early contact should be made with the new US Administration to seek a clear statement of intent that extraordinary rendition would cease and would not resume during the new President's term of office. I would emphasise that, while we have no reason to doubt the existing assurances in respect of the use of Irish airports, what we are looking for is a clear overall policy statement which would commit the new Administration to end the practice of extraordinary rendition wherever it may be occurring.

In addition, commitments are also being sought in regard to the early closure of Guantanamo Bay and to the clear prohibition of intensive interrogation techniques such as water-boarding which are internationally considered to constitute torture. I have asked our Ambassador in Washington to follow up on these issues as a matter of urgency.