Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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154. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in order to comply with our obligations under Article 4 of UNCAT, when he plans to comply with this article, in respect of complicity in torture; if he will ensure compliance; and when he will initiate an investigation into activity at Shannon Airport under this heading between 2001 and 2006. [4111/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Government is fully committed to the frameworks and mechanisms that have been established by the international community to eradicate torture. Ireland ratified the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment on 11 April 2002. The Criminal Justice (United Nations Convention against Torture) Act 2000 makes it an indictable offence in Ireland to commit an act of torture or to attempt or conspire to do so. Under s. 7 (1) of the Criminal Law Act 1997 ‘any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission of an indictable offence shall be liable to be indicted, tried and punished as a principal offender.’ As with all serious criminal offences, investigation and prosecution is a matter for An Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

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. 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.

If anyone has credible evidence that Shannon Airport, or indeed any other Irish airport, has been used for any illegal purpose this should be shared with An Garda Síochána.