McDowell: Irish airports not used for illegal purposes
The Tánaiste, Michael McDowell, has insisted that Irish airports and airspace have not been used for any illegal purposes by the CIA.
Mr McDowell was responding in the Dáil to questions about an EU report criticising Ireland's role in the CIA's so-called rendition scheme.
The draft report says 147 flights connected with the controversial programme of kidnapping and torture have passed through Ireland.
Mr McDowell told the Dáil, however, that he accepts US assurances that no prisoners have been on board any of these flights.
He also said the Gardaí had investigated complaints from the public and found no evidence of any illegal activity.
Opposition politicians say it doesn't matter whether prisoners were on board the CIA flights as the very fact that they passed through Ireland makes the country part of the logistical back-up for the illegal rendition scheme.
