Vol. 487 No. 6
293 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an application for early release would be considered in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the fact that he has recently been a participant in the temporary release programme without incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4760/98]
I am aware of the person to whom the Deputy refers but, as the Deputy is no doubt aware, it is long standing practice not to comment in detail on the case of an individual prisoner. I do not propose to make an exception to that practice in this instance. I can, however, advise the Deputy that each application for temporary release is given due consideration having regard to a number of factors including the purpose for which the release is sought, the nature of the offence committed by the prisoner and the amount of the sentence served. I can confirm also that good behaviour is something that is expected of all prisoners who are granted temporary release but that it is not something which, on its own, would necessarily ground a case for full early release of a prisoner.
