asked the Taoiseach if he has raised with the British Opposition leaders, during his recent visit to the United Kingdom, the cases of certain Irish persons serving prison sentences in that country and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish People in British Prisons.
1.
The House will, I think, understand that it has not been the practice to give details of discussions such as those I had in London recently.
However, I can assure the Deputy, whose constructive interest in these cases I fully appreciate, of our deepest concern about them. The Minister for Foreign Affairs outlined the present position on the matter in his reply to Questions in this House on 23 October last.
Surely these discussions need not necessarily be a matter of confidentiality? Can the Taoiseach tell us, even in the privacy of the House if he must, whether he raised the cases of the Guildford Four, the Birmingham Six and the Annie Maguire case with the Leaders of the Opposition? Did he meet all the Leaders of the various Opposition parties while in London.
It is the practice to maintain confidentiality about such discussions. Their value is the greater if people know them to be confidential. I can only add that the Leaders of the Opposition are aware of our concern. I did meet all the Leaders of the Opposition. I would not wish to go beyond that.
Surely the Taoiseach can indicate to the House without giving away any major secrets whether he raised the three cases I have mentioned? Is the Taoiseach aware of the British Prime Minister's "going to lunch" remark at the European Parliament and the manner in which she dismissed a reasonable query by one of the Taoiseach's MEPs? The Prime Minister simply said she was going to lunch and appeared to have no concern with these cases when they were raised by, I understand, Mary Banotti. Is that indicative of the progress we can hope for in these cases?
Regarding the attitude of the British Government, the replies given to queries at a press conference by the Home Secretary, who has direct personal responsibility in these cases, would indicate that he is taking them very seriously and that he is examining them with a view to an early decision. That would represent the authoritative statement of the position of the member of the British Government who is responsible for dealing with them. I am not aware of the details of what happened in the European Parliament but I am aware of the reported statements at the press conference by the British Home Secretary.
My brother, Niall Andrews, tried to raise it yesterday in an all-party sense, supported by Mary Banotti, and it appears to have been dealt with very summarily by the British authorities. I would ask the Taoiseach to keep a special eye on the progress of these cases, particularly the case of the Birmingham Six which is coming near resolution in the context of its referral by the British Home Secretary to the court of appeal. It is absolutely imperative that this case be referred to the court of appeal. I would ask the Taoiseach in his capacity as leader of the nation to use all the powers of his office to ensure that this case is given favourable consideration by Mr. Hurd.
I assure the Deputy that anything I or the Government can do has been and is being done. Since the recent television programme on one of the cases the matter of that case has been taken up again with the Home Office. Anything we can do to ensure full and fair consideration with a view to review will be done. I am only anxious in my reply to preserve the relationship with the political leaders in Britain which is best maintained by not making statements about what has been said. The Deputy should be in no doubt about our concern. The leaders of all parties in Britain are aware of our concern and we are pursuing the matter in any way open to us. I share the Deputy's hopes that the matter will be reviewed in the near future and that the results will be positive.
Has the Taoiseach availed, or would he consider availing, of his contacts with members of the British Government and Parliament to convey to them the fact that action or inaction in regard to these cases will greatly influence the Dáil in its consideration of the extradition legislation before the House? In that connection, would the Taoiseach consider giving the House a full and complete statement on these cases during discussion on the Second Stage of the extradition legislation? All Members of the House are of the opinion that what happens in these cases is inextricably bound up with the decision we will take on the extradition legislation.
We cannot anticipate that debate.