Council of Europe to debate renditions report

The Council of Europe is to debate a report today that names Ireland as one of 14 countries that could be accused of collusion…

The Council of Europe is to debate a report today that names Ireland as one of 14 countries that could be accused of collusion over rendition flights.

Compiled by Swiss senator Dick Marti, the report determined that several European countries had colluded with the CIA in a "global spider's web" of secret flights of terrorist suspects.

The accusation of Ireland's involvement was based on records that showed CIA-operated aircraft suspected of use in rendition flights had landed at Shannon airport on a number of occasions.

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern rejected claims that rendition flights passed through Shannon
The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern rejected claims that rendition flights passed through Shannon

Earlier this month, the council's secretary general, Mr Terry Davis, said he would ask the 46 member governments to introduce national safeguards and controls as well as a review of international regulations.

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He would also seek to have specific human rights clauses introduced in bilateral decisions granting overflight clearances to third countries.

He said details of the proposals would be announced once member states had been formally informed of the recommendations.

The Taoiseach has rejected claims that flights used for rendition purposes had passed through Shannon airport.

Éanna Ó Caollaí

Éanna Ó Caollaí

Iriseoir agus Eagarthóir Gaeilge An Irish Times. Éanna Ó Caollaí is The Irish Times' Irish Language Editor, editor of The Irish Times Student Hub, and Education Supplements editor.