asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of persons held by the British authorities under the Prevention of Terrorism Act who actually received assistance from the Irish Embassy in London; and the type of assistance that was provided.
Written Answers. - UK Prevention of Terrorism Act.
247.
The Embassy in London, like all Irish embassies, has as one of its primary functions the provision of consular assistance to all Irish citizens who seek it. This includes assistance to persons detained by the British authorities under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), as well as under other legislation. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be possible to detail the number of persons assisted and the type of assistance given since the Prevention of Terrorism legislation was enacted in 1974 without the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of time and money.
Where a person has been detained under the PTA, the Embassy can and does help his or her family in ascertaining where the person is being held, whether the detention order has been extended or whether charges are being brought. The Embassy also seeks to ensure that the person detained has access to a solicitor, can communicate with his family, has no medical problems and is being treated correctly. Where complaints are made to the Department or the Embassy by those who have been detained about the treatment of persons in detention, the Embassy raises these complaints with the British authorities.
The Embassy acts in PTA detention cases at the request of families, legal counsel, or public representatives or where the Embassy is otherwise aware that there are grounds for concern. In some cases persons do not wish the Embassy to intervene. Such wishes are at all times respected as is the privacy of the persons concerned.
I am conscious that the possibility of abuse of powers and of discrimination against Irish citizens is inherent in the PTA legislation and, in consequence, I make representations concerning the scope and method of operation of the Act to members of the British Government on a regular and ongoing basis.