Prison Committals

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 March 2013

Thursday, 28 March 2013

Questions (47, 52)

Joe Higgins

Question:

47. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise with his Spanish counterpart the situation facing Basque prisoners in the Spanish State as has been raised by the Dublin Basque Solidarity Committee, specifically the denial of parole, inhumane treatment of terminally ill prisoners, the cancellation of visits, excessive use of solitary confinement and the harassment of prisoners and relatives by the prison authorities (details supplied). [15417/13]

Joe Higgins

Question:

52. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise with his Spanish counterpart the situation facing Basque prisoners in the Spanish State as has been raised by the Dublin Basque Solidarity Committee, specifically the policy of dispersal and the resultant hardships on prisoners and relatives and the retroactive extension of sentences contrary to a ruling in the European Court of Human Rights (details supplied). [15416/13]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 52 together.

Policy on the placement and treatment of a country’s nationals in prison in the European Union is a matter for the democratically elected government and the relevant competent authorities in each Member State in accordance with domestic, European and international law, and, as such, it would be inappropriate for me to become involved in the matter in question.

Question No. 48 answered with Question No. 26.