asked the Minister for Justice if he will examine as a matter of urgency the position in regard to political prisoners at present in Mountjoy and Portlaoise Prisons; if he will take steps to see that such prisoners are allowed to remain together, be treated as political prisoners have always been treated, be allowed to wear their own clothes and to receive food parcels when they arrive; and, in the case of the prisoners at Portlaoise, if he will allow a daily newspaper to each of the prisoners, permit them to write to their relatives and friends and ensure that such correspondence will not affect the visits which they may have from their relations and friends.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Political Prisoners.
94.
The prisoners to whom I assume the Deputy is referring include both remand prisoners and convicted prisoners.
As the cases against the remand prisoners are sub judice it would be inappropriate for me to make any comment about the nature of the charges against them.
As regards the convicted prisoners, I would point out that nobody is in prison for holding political views. Some are in prison for failure to pay fines— this is a deliberate decision on their part. The others have been convicted of serious criminal offences including in some cases armed bank robberies.
I could not agree that persons found guilty of such offences have any special right to the special privileges suggested by the Deputy.