McDowell plays down US powers in new treaty

Justice Minister Michael McDowell tonight said it was a fabrication to say CIA agents would be able to question Irish citizens as part of a new treaty agreement.

The bilateral instruments signed by the minister and the US Ambassador to Ireland, James C Kenny, provides for sweeping powers to be given to the US authorities.

But Minister McDowell tonight played down the powers granted under the new treaty.

“Joint investigations teams has nothing to do with CIA people secretly interrogating Irish people, rubbish about the CIA getting secret access is equally untrue,” he said.

He said that Article 8.3 in the agreement, which states that the requested party (Ireland) shall allow persons to ask questions directly of the person whose testimony or evidence is being taken, was referring to a lawyer in court asking questions of somebody.

“It’s nothing to do with the CIA bringing people into darkened rooms and interrogating them,” he said.

Nevertheless the Irish Human Rights Commission is to examine the controversial agreement.