andMr. Keaveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he is furnished with up-to-date information in relation to Irish citizens serving prison sentences in British jails and in particular those jailed on the Isle of Wight; if he will make a statement on the alleged maltreatment of the latter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment of Prisoners.
9.
I am generally informed about the position of Irish citizens serving sentences in British jails and am satisfied that in the vast majority of cases there are no significent problems. In the cases of some persons sentenced for terrorist offences in Britain in recent years, there have been allegations of maltreatment of which I am aware and which are being examined in detail. Aspects of the treatment of 41 prisoners, including 11 in prisons in the Isle of Wight, have been discussed with the British authorities since August, 1974. I expect to complete inquiries in the near future and to be in contact at political level with the British authorities to ensure that all Irish prisoners are treated properly.
It is useful to know that the Minister has been in contact, but how long will this contact go on? Has there been any real bite in the investigation or in the knowledge that the Minister may have? Is the Minister aware of what is more than an allegation—it is factual—that there are prisoners in the Isle of Wight now recovering in solitary confinement from broken limbs, multiple breaks, and that there is information, which is available to the Minister, that solitary confinement is being enforced in the Isle of Wight in the case of Irish citizens and that this means at least not only solitary confinement but prisoners being without clothes or bedding and living like half animals? Of course that always has been the attitude of the British. I ask the Minister urgently to follow up the contracts he has and not allow himself to be led up the garden path or to be delayed so long that the ills and sores of these much abused prisoners will have been healed up beyond recognition before he can take action about this. It is a bloody disgrace and it should be added to the Strasbourg trials that are going on—
This will be followed up vigorously, I assure the Deputy, at political level in the near future.