Government disinterest in US use of Shannon not good enough
Government disinterest in US use of Shannon not good enough - The Labour Party
Labour has today called for urgent clarity from Government on the use of Shannon Airport by the US for flights involved in the delivery of weapons for Israel, and by flights reportedly involved in illegal deportations, in breach of US court orders.
Speaking on Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil, Labour Leader Ivana Bacik TD said,
“It is unconscionable that an Irish airport could be used as an instrument to violate human rights. Yet we understand that a private deportation flight expelling migrants to South Sudan in breach of a US court order is scheduled to refuel at Shannon Airport today. This development follows growing concerns about the use of Shannon Airport for military purposes, including the refuelling of planes suspected of transporting weapons to Israel for use against the people of Gaza.
“To date, the Government has shown an astounding lack of curiosity on the matter. In his reply to my Question today, the Tánaiste was somewhat technical, and failed to signal that there would be any clarification of the Government’s position on the US use of Shannon.
“In recent years, there has been a barrage of revelations about what is passing through our airspace. Yet the Tánaiste and the Government continue to turn a blind eye. Do we know if armed guards are on board the deportation flight due to land here today? What exactly is happening at Shannon? Why are we allowing US planes tied to illegal deportations and illegal wars to refuel on Irish soil?
“We need transparency and accountability. We were told last November that a new aircraft inspection regime was planned to ensure weapons of war were not being illegally transported through Ireland. The former Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, briefed the Cabinet on that last November. But the Tánaiste failed today to confirm whether any safeguards exist to prevent Ireland being complicit in illegal international activity.
“The Department of Transport is reportedly still examining the legislation. Meanwhile, we know that nine commercial flights to Israel carrying weapons of war flew through Irish air space. Today’s news that people have been illegally renditioned via Ireland only serves to highlight that action is needed.
“It’s simply not good enough. We must be serious about our foreign policy. Ireland has always stood for peace, for justice, and for upholding the rules of international law. So long as this continues, those values are being undermined — quietly, and without explanation — from the tarmac of Shannon Airport.”