asked the Minister for Defence the number of prisoners at present confined in the Curragh Camp.
98.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civilian Prisoners in Military Custody.
97.
asked the Minister for Defence the number of prisoners in the Curragh Camp who are (a) convicted of criminal offences and (b) on remand.
99.
asked the Minister for Defence the number of civilian prisoners at present held in military custody in military detention centres; the number on remand; and the number serving sentences up to six months, six to 12 months, 12 to 18 months and 18 months to two years and over.
100.
asked the Minister for Defence (i) the total number of civilian prisoners at present in military custody and (ii) (a) the overall number of these held on remand and (b) the numbers held on remand for one month, two months, et cetera.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 to 100, inclusive, together. The number of civilian prisoners held in military custody is 34, made up as follows:
On remand or awaiting trial
|
(i)for 1 month or less |
16 |
|
(ii)for 1 to 2 months |
1 |
|
(iii)for 2 to 3 months |
3 |
|
(iv)for 3 to 4 months |
3 |
|
(v)for 4 to 5 months |
1 |
|
Serving sentences up to 6 months |
0 |
|
Serving sentences from 6 to 12 months |
3 |
|
Serving sentences from 12 to 18 months |
4 |
|
Serving sentences from 18 months to 2 years and over |
3 |
The Parliamentary Secretary did not answer my question as to how many were on remand. Doing rapid mathematics, am I to understand that 24 out of 34 in the Curragh are on remand?
The figures before me are not segregated, as it were, but the number of civilian prisoners held in military custody is 34. It does not, unfortunately, segregate the information the Deputy requires but the numbers are there.
Why does it not? It seems simple to me. The Parliamentary Secretary broke down the figures into the number of people on remand for different periods. All I am looking for is the total number who are on remand as opposed to the total number who have been convicted and are serving sentences.
I think I had better communicate with the Deputy further about this. I get the Deputy's point but I do not have the information clearly in front of me.
The Parliamentary Secretary has told us how many are serving sentences. If you take that number from 34 you get the answer.
The answer is 24.
But there are some here awaiting trial. Whether they are on remand or not is another day's work.
How else could they be? They would have to be on remand.
This is what I say but I do not think I can give Deputy Thornley the information he requires clearly from what I have before me.
I think I can give the amount. The answer is 24.
Why then did the Deputy ask the supplementary question?
Why did the Parliamentary Secretary not answer it?
I have not got the information here. I was trying to be as helpful to the Deputy as possible.
The Parliamentary Secretary cannot do mathematics as quickly as I can.
I do not have the academic qualifications. How could I, with the Deputy's intelligence?
Question No. 101.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary any idea when the special criminal court will hold its first meeting?
I would not have the remotest idea.
That is a separate question.
A question of that nature should be addressed to the Minister for Justice, as the Deputy well knows.
101.
asked the Minister for Defence the number of prison warders who are at present engaged in supervision of prisoners in the Curragh Camp.
No prison officer is engaged in the supervision of prisoners. One prison officer is acting in an advisory capacity.
102.
asked the Minister for Defence the number and the ranks of military personnel who are at present directly engaged in the supervision of prisoners held in the Curragh Camp under the Prisons Act, 1972.
As this matter involves security, I regret that I cannot give the information sought.
103.
asked the Minister for Defence whether military personnel engaged in the supervision of prisoners held in the Curragh Camp under the Prisons Act, 1972, carry arms while in the performance of their duties under that Act.
The carrying of arms by the personnel in question would depend on the particular duty involved.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a break-out took place in the Curragh in the early part of the last war in which one prisoner was shot and five wounded and would he not agree that the placing of prisoners under military custody in this way creates the danger of a recurrence of this event?
That would be a separate question.
In fairness to the Army, the slight being aimed at the Army by Deputy Thornley and others——
I am not slighting the Army.
The Deputy is trying to create difficult problems where they do not exist. For the Deputy's information, the military personnel who are supervising the prisoners are not armed.
Thank you.
104.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the arrangements available for Members of the Oireachtas to visit the military detention centres currently being used for civilian prisoners.
The Rules for the Government of Prisons, 1947, provide that the Governor shall not allow any person other than the Chief Justice, a Judge of the Supreme or High Court, a Minister of State or the Bishops of the diocese to view the prison except as provided by statute, or by an order from the Minister for Justice, or unless authorised according to instructions which may be issued by him. Corresponding provision has been made in the Prisons Act, 1972 (Military Custody) Regulations, 1972.