The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights has criticised the Government for not checking US military flights from Shannon.
Speaking on the last day of his official visit to Ireland, Thomas Hammarberg said flights should have been checked when it was obvious that the planes could have been used to transport people who have been abducted and who might face torture where they were being brought.
Although his visit was to focus primarily on the rights of young people, Commissioner Hammarberg said the issue was raised during a meeting with the Taoiseach this week.
He was also critical of the length of time asylum seekers had to wait to have their applications processed.
He visited a centre for asylum seekers where he found many individuals had to wait around four years for a decision on their application. He said the long wait for a decision on asylum caused further distress and suffering to the individuals involved.
Commissioner Hammarberg said the planned referendum on the rights of the child was to be welcomed. However, he called for a complete ban on corporal punishment, saying children should not be physically chastised.
