Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Jan 1997

Vol. 473 No. 4

Written Answers. - Prisoner Transfers.

Joe Costello

Question:

417 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners who have been transferred to Northern Ireland from the Republic; the number of prisoners awaiting such transfer; the number of prisoners who have been transferred to the Republic from Northern Ireland; the number of prisoners awaiting such transfers; the delays, if any, which have been encountered in the processing of such transfers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1108/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I am not aware of any offender in Northern Ireland who is seeking a transfer to a prison in this jurisdiction, nor has any such application been made.

With regard to transfers to Northern Ireland from the State, the position is as follows:

Applications received	16
Applications subsequently withdrawn	1
Applicants not eligible	1
Applicants released	2
Applicants transferred	—
Applications formally transmitted to the Prison Service in Northern Ireland (the Minister having consented to this)	7
Applications that the Minister has consented in principle to processing and where the appropriate documentation is being collated for formal transmission to the Prison Service in Northern Ireland	4
Applications under preliminary examination as of 22.1.97 (For submission to the Minister)	1

As the Deputy is aware, under the terms of the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, the two states involved in processing a transfer request are required to exchange information about the sentenced person. This information includes a copy of the judgment and the law on which it is based, sentence administration particulars and medical/social reports. These must be obtained from a number of different sources. Owing to the complexity of the documentation required, the processing of some cases can take some considerable time. I can say, however, that every effort is made to process each application as speedily as possible.

The prison service in Northern Ireland has sought additional information in relation to several applications. This has been provided in most cases. On receipt of this information, the authorities there will then be in a position to respond on the outstanding cases.