Dail inquiry only way to expose Fianna Fail cover up on CIA flights
Issued : Wednesday 14 February, 2007
Statement by Joe Costello TD
Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for Trade and Development
Commenting on today's European Parliament vote approving its investigation into CIA rendition activities in Europe, Labour Party Spokesperson on Defence, Joe Costello TD, called for an immediate Dail inquiry as the only way to expose the extent of the Government's cover-up on its own role in assisting the US military.
Deputy Costello commented, "The committee hearings that led to this report clearly established that the Irish Government was complicit in the US war effort in Iraq. They totally failed to conduct random searches of these flights, which were subsequently used for the purpose of transferring prisoners for torture.
"The Government clearly, obviously and blatantly turned a blind-eye to the practice of extraordinary rendition. They simply relied on US assurances that nothing was going on rather than seeking their legal right to inspect the planes themselves.
"Following the European Parliament vote, the Government has little option but to establish a Dail investigation that could be undertaken by the European Affairs Committee. The public has a right to know what their airports are being used for, the extent of the Government's knowledge of what has been going on, and if they ever either opposed or acquiesced to US demands.
"The US use of Irish airports is still going on. That means that suspects may very well still be transferred through Shannon Airport without our knowledge. The Irish people deserve to know if this represents active collusion by the Irish Government or if they have decided simply to turn a blind eye to what is taking place."
