Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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207. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on statements from his Department that there is no evidence of Irish involvement in CIA renditions when they have been provided evidence of CIA rendition planes passing through Shannon. [48748/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government states that the Government will enforce the prohibition of the use of Irish airspace, airports and related facilities for purposes not in line with the dictates of international law. Ireland does not tolerate and will not tolerate the use of our airspace or airports for any illegal purpose, including torture, rendition or the unauthorised detention of any individual. It has been made clear by the current and previous Governments that such activity would be considered completely unacceptable and illegal. The Government has, over the years, responded to allegations about rendition flights using Shannon Airport. A number of complaints concerning alleged unlawful activity at Shannon Airport have been investigated by An Garda Síochána. However, no evidence of rendition was disclosed in any of the investigations. Ireland has previously sought and received categorical assurances from the US Government that Irish airports have not been used and would not be used for rendition without our express permission, which it has been made clear would not be forthcoming.