Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 1995

Vol. 456 No. 3

Written Answers. - Extradition Delay.

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

127 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice whether a response has been made to a request by the legal representatives of the victims of Fr. Brendan Smyth for information relating to contacts between the RUC and the Garda in relation to the delay in extraditing the then accused to Northern Ireland to face trial; the extent of such police contacts; whether there is normally a written record of such inter-force contacts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13881/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I am informed by the Attorney General that the information sought in the Deputy's question, other than on the issue of whether there is normally a written record of contracts between the RUC and the Garda on extradition cases, has been the subject of a request to the Chief State Solicitor by the legal representatives of the victims of Fr. Brendan Smyth in the context of pending legislation initiated against the State and is, therefore, sub judice.

The position in regard to whether there is normally a written record of inter-force contacts is that I am informed by the Garda authorities that normally no written record is kept of contacts of the sort referred to in the question. I can, however, assure the Deputy that the correspondence in question has been replied to by the Chief State Solicitor.