Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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393. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 148 and 149 of 21 January 2015, if she will provide the information sought; and the reason for the delay. [14749/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will recall that in respect of Questions Nos. 148 and 149 of 21 January 2015 regarding complaints or requests to search aircraft at Shannon Airport that I had sought further information for the Garda Authorities in order to respond fully. That information is now to hand.

The figures provided in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Periodic Report to which the Deputy referred in her previous questions related to the specific matter of investigations carried out by An Garda Síochána into allegations of extraordinary rendition being carried out at Shannon Airport. My reply to Parliamentary Question No. 417 of 14 January 2015 provided figures in respect of requests made to An Garda Síochána to carry out searches of aircraft. I am advised by the Garda Authorities that for the purposes of record keeping, a distinction is made between the issue of extraordinary rendition and the more general matter of requests to carry out searches.

An Garda Síochána remains fully committed to investigate all alleged breaches of criminal law involving the use of aircraft at Shannon Airport. Statutory powers of search and entry are bestowed on An Garda Síochána under various legislative provisions and when authorised by a Judge. However, these powers are exercised in circumstances where a member of An Garda Síochána has a reasonable suspicion that an offence has occurred supported by some evidence. The mere assertion of wrongdoing by a member of the general public is clearly insufficient in this regard. The Garda Síochána has investigated a range of complaints of alleged unlawful activity at Shannon Airport and, where appropriate, files have been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions. In all these cases, no further action was found to be warranted, owing to a lack of any evidence of unlawful activity.