The Council of Europe has called on European states to introduce tougher laws to guarantee oversight of their spy services and better controls over foreign agents operating on their territory.
The report by the Strasbourg-based human rights body on the involvement of European countries in the so-called extraordinary rendition process sought information from all 46 member states, including Ireland.
The Council of Europe Secretary General, Terry Davis, said that most of Europe appeared to be 'a happy hunting ground for foreign services'.
'Hardly any country, with the clear exception of Hungary, has any legal provisions to ensure an effective oversight over the activities of foreign security services on their territory,' Mr Davis said.
The Government has said no public servants were in any way involved in any unlawful detention on Irish territory. It condemned the practice of extraordinary rendition.
