Vol. 485 No. 1
16 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of republican prisoners repatriated in the first six months of 1997; the number transferred in the second six months of 1997; the current position in relation to those who remain on and wish to join the repatriation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22420/97]
The Government is committed to the principle that, wherever possible, prisoners should be permitted to serve their sentences close to their families. This commitment is based both on humanitarian grounds and on the strong view that transfers are a confidence-building measure of significance which can bolster trust and underpin the peace process in Northern Ireland.
Transfers of prisoners, including republican prisoners, to this jurisdication are governed by the terms of the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which both Britain and Ireland have ratified. There were no transfers of republican prisoners in the first half of 1997. Since July of this year to date, four republican prisoners have been transferred here under the terms of this convention, three from Britain and one from the United States of America. I warmly welcome this development.
There are currently 18 convicted republican prisoners in Britain. Sixteen of them have requested transfer to this jurisdiction, one has requested transfer to Northern Ireland and the remaining prisoner has not yet made a transfer application.
The Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act, 1995 gives effect to the provisions of the European Convention in this jurisdiction. I am informed that these 16 applications, which are the only applications currently in hand from republican prisoners, are at different stages in the procedure set out in the Act.
The Deputy will be aware that implementation of the Act is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made by the Minister to expedite the processing of applications once they are received in this jurisdiction. Indeed, he has brought before the Seanad an amending Bill designed to facilitate the processing of a number of the applications for transfer.
Finally, let me say that I am very hopeful that further transfers will take place in the near future. The Government attaches the highest priority to this issue.
