Michael Ring
Question:383 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position on the repatriation of a person (details supplied) here from England to serve the remainder of his prison sentence. [5916/01]
Written Answers. - Prisoners Transfers.
The person concerned has applied in the United Kingdom for a transfer to serve the balance of his sentence here under the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. My Department has recently received a formal application for transfer of the person concerned from the United Kingdom authorities and it is now being examined by the Chief State Solicitor to establish that the offence for which the person was sentenced would also constitute an offence in this jurisdiction and that the sentence imposed is broadly in line with what would have been imposed in this jurisdiction.
The Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons requires extensive documentation to be exchanged between both jurisdictions 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 person concerned. On receipt of those consents and assuming they are forthcoming, an application will be made to the High Court for a warrant authorising the transfer of the person concerned and his or her continued detention here.
These procedures are required under the convention and must be adhered to in processing each application. Unfortunately, it is not possible to say how long it will take for this application to be considered. However, I assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to complete the process as quickly as possible.