Vol. 546 No. 5
34 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps being taken to verify the authenticity of applications for temporary release of prisoners on compassionate grounds; if he has satisfied himself that the release of a number of prisoners convicted in connection with the murder of a person (details supplied) were on bona fide grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32101/01]
In any case where a prisoner makes an application for temporary release due to the illness of a close family member, independent verification of the person's medical condition is sought. Verification may be by means of a doctor's note or by contact with a hospital. From the information available to me, I am satisfied that there were genuine compassionate reasons in each of the cases referred to and also that the applications were made on bona fide grounds.
