Vol. 457 No. 2
69 Dr. McDaid asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of paramilitary prisoners, loyalist and Nationalist, that are currently held in British prisons; and the number of these that have been transferred to Northern Ireland since the ceasefire. [15189/95]
A breakdown according to the categories of prisoners referred to in the Deputy's question is not officially available from British sources. However, the data available to my Department from a number of sources indicates that there are 27 republican prisoners currently held in British prisons.
According to information received by the Embassy in London, there are no loyalist prisoners currently in England and Wales. There are however some loyalist prisoners in Scotland, including some who are on remand. Figures for this category are not readily available. I will communicate with the Deputy as soon as I receive further information on this.
Fourteen republican prisoners have been transferred to Northern Ireland since 1 September 1994. Of these, five have been temporary transfers and nine permanent. According to information available to my Department, there have been no transfers of loyalist prisoners to Northern Ireland since the ceasefire.
