Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his view that Ireland has been used as a stopover on known rendition circuits; the discussions he has had with the Department of Justice and Equality and Department of Defence on this issue. [8609/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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There have been many allegations made by various organisations about alleged rendition activities through Irish airports and/or through Irish airspace. I understand that a number of such allegations have been investigated in the past and have led to no action. None of the various investigations have revealed any evidence, or even a specific allegation, that any person has on any occasion been subject to extraordinary rendition through Ireland.

I am advised that the last Government received unique assurances from the highest level of a friendly State that no extraordinary rendition has taken place through Ireland. I am also advised that it received legal advice that it was entitled under international law to rely on those assurances which were unqualified and unequivocal, i.e. that no prisoners have been subject to extraordinary rendition through Ireland. In the circumstances, I have not yet discussed this matter with my colleague, Alan Shatter, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence or with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamonn Gilmore.