Dan Neville
Question:249 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give details of the progress on the repatriation to Ireland from Britain of republican prisoners (details supplied). [17278/97]
Written Answers. - Prisoner Repatriation.
The persons referred to in the question have declared their interest in a transfer to Ireland. However a formal application from the United Kingdom authorities has yet to be received.
As the Deputy is aware, all persons serving life sentences in the UK have a tariff on their sentence which is determined by the Home Secretary. The tariff is the period to be served by the prisoner in order to satisfy the requirements of retribution and deterrence. The prisoners concerned were sentenced in 1977 and it is my understanding that no tariffs have yet been set by the Home Secretary. In such circumstances, it is the practice of the UK authorities not to transmit applications in respect of such prisoners until the tariffs have been set.
It is Government policy that, whenever possible, prisoners should be permitted to serve their sentences close to their families. The Home Secretary has been made aware of our concerns, and I would hope that a decision will be made in the near future. The Deputy can be assured that representations will continue to be made to the UK authorities in this regard.