Vol. 463 No. 6
106 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on the request for a transfer from a prison in England by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7007/96]
The Government has made it clear on many occasions that we stand ready to receive into this jurisdiction the Republican prisoners who have applied for a transfer to prison here.
Under the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons which entered into force on 1 November 1995, a number of applications, including that of the person referred to by the Deputy, are currently being processed by the relevant authorities here and in Britain.
On my instructions, the specific case mentioned by the Deputy was raised at a recent meeting of officials of the Irish Embassy in London and the relevant British authorities and I understand that a decision will be made on this case in the near future. I hope that this application and the other applications for transfer will be brought to a positive conclusion. The question of the medical condition of this person was also raised at this meeting.
The Government will continue to emphasise the importance of proceeding in a humane and constructive manner with regard to the issue of prisoners generally in the period ahead. Sensitive handling of this matter is of crucial importance in terms of building the confidence which both Governments are agreed is necessary if we are to achieve our shared objectives.
