Ireland seeks clarification from US on Shannon flights
Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe had asked the minister whether he was aware of the report and revelations about CIA torture of detainees.
The Sinn Féin TD also sought the minister’s views on assurances from the US government that no prisoners were transported through Irish territory.
Mr Crowe asked whether gardaí would now search US military planes that land at Shannon.
However, Mr Flanagan said: “The Programme for Government states 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 compl-etely unacceptable and illegal.
“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,” he said.
Mr Flanagan welcomed the publication of the senate committee’s summary report on its investigation of the CIA’s detention and interrogation programme.
“The report does not identify specific countries where interrogation or detention took place, nor countries through which prisoners were transferred,” he said.
“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.”
Mr Flanagan advised Mr Crowe: “I have instructed my officials to approach the US authorities to enquire whether this report found any evidence or drew any conclusions in relation to the use of Irish airspace or Irish airports in connection with the CIA’s detention and interrogation programme.”
