Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 1997

Vol. 480 No. 6

Written Answers - Prisoner Transfers.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

56 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised in his discussions with representatives of the British Government the issue of Irish political prisoners in English jails, the deterioration in their conditions despite the peace process, and in particular the delay in transfer of prisoners from England, only five of whom have been transferred to this jurisdiction since the enactment of the Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners Act, 1995. [14723/97]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. R. Burke):

I have taken a close interest in the humanitarian concerns of the republican prisoners in Britain. I have pursued these within the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference both on a humanitarian basis and because of the importance of prison issues in the context of the confidence building which is crucial to the peace process.

At meetings on 18 July and 26 August 1997 I raised these concerns personally with the Secretary of State, Dr. Mo Mowlan. On my instructions the republican prisoners received consular visits from an official of our embassy in London between 21 and 25 July 1997. The Deputy will be aware that there have been some recent improvements in the situation of prisoners who were previously classified as exceptional risk and held in the special secure units. Their classification has been revised downward and they are now entitled to receive open family visits.

However, I am aware of continuing concerns expressed by the prisoners and their relatives particularly with regard to the situation of those on remand who remain in a special secure unit at Belmarsh prison. For this reason, an Embassy official visited Belmarsh, Whitemoor and Full Sutton prisons at the end of last week. On the basis of his report, these concerns will be pursued as appropriate with the relevant British authorities. A further round of consular visits to all republican prisoners will take place in the next few weeks.

The question of the transfer of republican prisoners to this jurisdiction is one which is accorded high priority by the Government and which I have also raised in the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. The Government have consistently supported the principle that, wherever possible, prisoners should be permitted to serve their sentences close to their families and this view has been made clear to the British authorities. We have repeatedly made clear to the British authorities that we stand ready to receive republican prisoners transferred under the provisions of the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

Since the coming into effect of this Convention in Ireland on 1 November 1995 six republican prisoners have been transferred to this jurisdiction. Under its terms transfers from Britain to this jurisdiction involve the consent of the person concerned, of the Home Office in Britain, and of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. We have emphasised our view that transfer applications ought to be processed as quickly as possible. I would hope that a number of transfers, which are currently awaiting the consent of the Home Secretary, can take place in the near future. The Deputy will appreciate that, under the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act, responsibility for the implementation of the Convention lies with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in this jurisdiction.

I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to monitor the status of individual prisoners' requests for transfer and their other humanitarian concerns.