Vol. 491 No. 2
19 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give details of the number of paramilitary prisoners in prisons in this State in the context of the Northern Ireland Agreement; and the policy principles, if any, which will be observed in initiating a large scale early release programme. [9425/98]
65 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the review structure on prisoner releases promised in the Northern Agreement will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9424/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 65 together.
At present, there are a total of 69 subversive prisoners in custody. The policy principles which will be observed in considering the release of any of these prisoners will be as set out in the Agreement reached in the multi-party negotiations on 10 April 1998. To be eligible for consideration for release a prisoner must be a qualifying prisoner within the meaning of the Agreement. The Agreement also provides that account will be taken of the seriousness of the offence or offences for which the prisoner was convicted and the need to protect the community.
