Bernard J. Durkan
Question:776 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay regarding the repatriation process for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23953/00]
Written Answers. - Repatriation Procedures.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the person referred to was, together with a number of other prisoners, transferred to Ireland from the United Kingdom on Friday, 3 November 2000. The remainder of his sentence will be enforced in accordance with the laws and regulations which apply to sentenced persons in Ireland.
As I have explained in the past, the Council Of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons and the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act, 1995, requires that extensive documentation be exchanged between both jurisdictions in order to allow an application to be fully considered. A three-way consent is also required to enable any transfer to take place, that is, from the authorities of both jurisdictions and from the prisoner concerned. On receipt of those consents, an application must be made to the High Court for a warrant authorising the transfer of the prisoner concerned and his/her continued detention here. Finally the practical arrangements, including whatever security arrangements are considered necessary, must be put in place prior to effecting the transfer of the prisoner concerned.
These procedures are required under the convention and must be adhered to in processing each application. Completing all the required procedures takes time. However, I can assure the Deputy that every effort was made in this case to complete all the required procedures as quickly as possible and no undue delay occurred.