GOI APPRECIATES INFORMATION ON USG DETAINEE POLICY

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 001046 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2015 TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV PTER EI SUBJECT: GOI APPRECIATES INFORMATION ON USG DETAINEE POLICY REF: STATE 146996 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Jonathan Benton; Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). (C) On September 8, pol/econ chief delivered refel talking points and Qs/As to Colm O Floinn, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Deputy Political Director and Director for International Security Policy. O Floinn offered to pass the points to DFA's senior leadership and DFA Legal Adviser Patricia O'Brien and to contact post on further DFA questions if necessary. He noted that follow-up information on the progress of draft military commission legislation cited in reftel material would be welcome. He also expressed appreciation for receiving the material ahead of Parliament's return in late September, as opposition parliamentarians were likely to make inquiries about U.S. policy on detainees. O Floinn highlighted bilateral consultation that had helped the Irish Government in public discourse on the issue of extraordinary renditions, and he regarded reftel points as consistent with that cooperation. He also cautioned that public scrutiny of USG operations at Shannon Airport would intensify as Ireland approached the campaign season for the expected spring/summer 2007 elections. BENTON