Gardaí Get Rights To Inspect US Military Flights

US-led so-called 'extraordinary rendition' flights that use Irish airports will be inspected by gardaí under new powers to inspect military flights.

The move has been welcomed by human rights groups after the Government agreed to deal with the incoming American administration after tomorrow's election by seeking a commitment that extraordinary rendition through Irish airports will stop altogether.

A Cabinet sub-committee has been set up to deal with the issue, which is said to be a key condition of the Green Party's presence in Government.

The Bush administration has previously been accused of using extraordinary rendition - the practice whereby terrorist suspects are transported by the CIA to a third country to allow them to be tortured, a process that is banned at home.

(BMcC)