asked the Minister for Justice the frequency and cost of the transfer of prisoners from Portlaoise and other prisons to Dublin for court hearings in the past five years; the number of occasions in which cases were not called; and if he has plans to deal more efficiently with such cases.
Written Answers. - Transfer of Prisoners.
Mr. Cowen
Limerick East): The information required as to the frequency and cost of transfer of prisoners to Dublin for court hearings is not readily available. To compile such information would require a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources. Information in respect of such transfers from Portlaoise during 1984 was compiled with considerable difficulty in response to a previous question from another Deputy which was subsequently withdrawn. It emerged that there were 121 transfers from Portlaoise to Dublin for court appearances during 1984 at a cost of the order of £250,000. Cases are always called when a person in custody is brought from prison for a court hearing. However, on occasions, for reasons outside the control of the court, a trial may not proceed after the case is called.