Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
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168. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has examined the report of the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on the CIA's detention and interrogation programmes; if in view of this he has re-evaluated his opinion on the assurances of the US Government that no prisoners were transported through Irish territory; and in view of this report his views that it is acceptable to allow the US military aircraft the use of Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3069/15]

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. The Government has repeatedly stated that Ireland would 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 linking rendition flights to Shannon Airport. Ireland sought, and received, categorical assurances from the US Government that no prisoner had been, or would be, transferred through Irish territory without the express permission of the Irish authorities, which it was made clear, would not be forthcoming. 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.

The executive summary of the Senate Intelligence Committee’s report, which was released on 9 December 2014, does not identify specific countries where interrogation or detention took place, or countries through which prisoners were transferred.

I can confirm that at my instruction, my officials are seeking further clarification in relation to this report from the US authorities.