Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Apr 1997

Vol. 477 No. 2

Written Answers - Prisoner Transfers.

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

48 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations, if any, he has made in relation to applications for transfer from prisons by republican prisoners under the transfer of sentenced persons convention; the explanation, if any, the British authorities have given as to the reason for the delay in processing applications for transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8788/97]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

49 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the British authorities have given any indication to him as to when a decision will be given on the application for transfer to Ireland by two prisoners (details supplied) under the transfer of sentenced persons convention. [8789/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together.

The Government is continuing to closely monitor the humanitarian situation of republican prisoners in Britain and has raised prisoner issues, including the question of transfers, with the British authorities on numerous occasions through the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference and also through the Irish Embassy in London.

The Deputy will be aware of the Government's consistent support for the principle that, wherever possible, prisoners should be permitted to serve their sentences close to their families. He will also know that it has repeatedly been made clear to the British authorities that we stand ready to receive republican prisoners under the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. Six prisoners have so far been transferred from prison in Britain to prison in this jurisdiction and it is hoped that the transfer of other prisoners, including those referred to by the Deputy, will follow in line with the humanitarian objectives of the convention.

With regard to the length of time taken to process applications, the Deputy will appreciate that operational responsibility for the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons between Ireland and Britain lies with the Department of Justice on the Irish side and with the Home Office on the British side. In this context, I would refer him to the responses given my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Deputy Owen, to Question No. 239 on 15 October 1996 and to Question No. 217 on 19 March 1997.

On my instructions, the status of individual prisoners' requests for transfer continues to be pursued with the relevant British authorities by the Irish Embassy in London as part of its ongoing contacts on a range of matters of concern to Irish prisoners in Britain. While we have so far received no definite indication from the relevant British authorities as to when a decision can be expected on the applications for transfer made by the two individuals to which the Deputy refers, I would assure him that our pursuit of the transfer issue, and these particular applications, will continue in the period ahead.