Activists refuse to accept US assurances on CIA flights

Peace activists involved in monitoring the US military use of Shannon Airport have refused to accept US assurances about controversial CIA flights using the Co Clare facility.

The activists have documented landings by at least six CIA planes involved in a programme to transport suspected Islamic militants to secret interrogation centres around the world.

Some of the detainees have ended up being abused and mistreated by foreign governments, prompting accusations that the CIA is "outsourcing" torture.

The Irish Government, however, says it accepts assurances from US officials that no prisoners are on board any flights using Shannon Airport.

Despite this, the Oireachtas foreign affairs committee wants to question US Ambassador James Kenny about the matter.

Tim Hourigan from the Cosantoiri Siochana group said today that he hoped the committee would ask probing questions as the Government was turning a blind eye to the issue.

"The Government has made a lot of false statements saying that they don't have the power to enter these aircraft when they, in fact, do under the UN Convention Against Torture and under the Air Transport Navigation Act," he said.

"They can enter any air craft just to ensure that what's on the aircraft matches what's declared."