Tony Gregory
Question:290 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the British authorities regarding the conditions of a prisoner (details supplied) which are a cause of concern to his family. [1348/98]
Written Answers. - Prisoners in U.K.
My Department closely monitors the humanitarian aspects of the treatment of republican prisoners in Britain. Issues of concern are regularly raised within the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference and through the embassy in London. In particular, we have expressed our concerns about the detention conditions in units such as the high security unit in Belmarsh prison, where the person named is being detained.
In response to a request from the person named, an official of the embassy in London made a consular visit to him most recently on 9 January 1998. The official discussed with him various issues relating to the conditions of his detention and later raised these with the prison authorities. The embassy continues to maintain contact with the British authorities on my instructions with a view to obtaining a resolution of these concerns.
Tony Gregory
Question:291 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the British authorities on behalf of a prisoner (details supplied). [1478/98]
The case to which the Deputy refers has been raised on several occasions with the British authorities through the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, including with regard to the circumstances of the conviction.
As the Deputy may be aware, the case is currently being examined by the Criminal Cases Review Commission to consider if there is a basis for referring it back to the Court of Appeal.
On my instructions, the case was raised again recently to inquire about its progress through the Criminal Cases Review Commission. On foot of this, I understand that officers from the Commission are in the process of interviewing the new witnesses who have come forward and are finalising their examination of the case. I am informed that this examination will be completed in the near future and a decision will be made on whether the case will be referred back to the Court of Appeal.
I assure that Deputy that my Department will continue to monitor this case.
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:292 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position in relation to all republican prisoners in English jails; the advances in this regard that have taken place since October 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1672/98]
There are 12 convicted republican prisoners and two remand prisoners currently detained in British prisons. A further two individuals are currently on bail.
I attach great importance to confidence-building measures as an essential element in the promotion of trust and the underpinning of peace in Northern Ireland. In this context, the Government believes that it is essential to continue to focus in an imaginative and progressive way on all the questions relating to those who have been imprisoned in the context of the conflict, both republican and loyalist, while also giving full attention to the concerns of victims of violence. As set out in the Propositions on Heads of Agreement tabled by both Governments on 12 January, the multi-party talks will consider prisoners' issues in the context of effective and practical measures to establish and consolidate an acceptable peaceful society in Northern Ireland.
New regulations governing the transfer of prisoners from Britain to Northern Ireland were introduced with effect from 1 October. The effect of these is that persons tranferred to Northern Ireland are placed on the same footing as those convicted in Northern Ireland except for final release, which will continue to be a matter for the British Home Secretary. They are therefore able to benefit from the classification and temporary release procedures in force in Northern Ireland. A number of prisoners transferred from Britain to Northern Ireland have benefited from these new arrangements with the granting of periods of compassionate and Christmas leave. A further prisoner was transferred from prison in Britain to Northern Ireland during December 1997.
Eleven republican prisoners have been transferred from Britain to Portlaoise prison since 3 December 1997 under the provisions of the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. These transfers represent significant progress on this important humanitarian issue and bring the total of republican prisoners transferred from Britain to this jurisdiction under the terms of the convention to 17.
Of the 12 convicted prisoners currently in Britain, ten have requested transfer to this jurisdiction, one has requested a transfer to Northern Ireland and another has not yet made a transfer application.
Of the ten applications relating to this jurisdiction, one is on hold pending the applicant's appeal of his conviction. Three applications are currently under examination by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Two applications have only recently been received by the British Home Office. The remaining four applicants are awaiting determination of their tariffs by the British Home Secretary. It is the practice of the Home Office not to transmit applications to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform from a person serving a life sentence until their tariff has been set. The Government would hope that this decision can be taken as soon as possible so as to give the prisoners concerned some sense of certainty and to enable their transfer applications to be processed. Both the Taoiseach and I have raised this matter with the British Government.
The Government will be seeking to complete the transfer of all republican prisoners who have applied for transfer under the convention as soon as possible in line with its humanitarian provisions.
The Government continues to monitor closely the conditions under which republican prisoners in Britain are held. Regular consular visits are made by the embassy in London to these prisoners. Issues of concern which are raised by prisoners and their families form the basis of representations made on an ongoing basis to the British authorities.
I will continue to pursue these and other issues relating to prisoners both within the context of the multi-party talks and within the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.