Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had discussions with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in the wake of the impending closure of Guantanamo Bay announced by President Obama in regard to Ireland offering residence to a number of the innocent detainees who can not safely return home; and his views on making this offer. [5242/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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President Obama's decision to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay within a year represents an important step towards upholding and promoting human rights and will be welcomed by all friends of the United States. The relevant Executive Order states that appropriate arrangements will need to be made to deal with the remaining detainees, either by prosecuting them, returning them to their home countries, releasing them or transferring them to a third country. The Executive Order directs the Secretary of State to seek international co-operation aimed at achieving the transfers of detainees.

Ireland, with our EU partners, has consistently called for the closure of Guantanamo and the bringing to trial or release of detainees held there. I have stated that Ireland is ready in this new context to examine how we may be supportive of the United States Government as it proceeds towards the closure of Guantanamo. An initial discussion among EU Foreign Ministers on 26 January revealed a general desire to be helpful to the US Government, but also made clear that there is a range of complex legal, practical and political issues to be worked through, primarily on the US side. There is to be a further discussion among Justice Ministers at the end of this month.

My Department and I are in close touch on the matter with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and his Department, which has responsibility for the reception and integration of citizens of third countries. Officials of the two Departments had a useful meeting with a senior State Department official last Monday, 9 February. I will keep the matter under careful review, and, as necessary, will bring any specific proposals to Government.