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Human Rights Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2013

Thursday, 16 May 2013

Questions (56, 60)

Clare Daly

Question:

56. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he proposes to take in relation to the detention of a person (details supplied) for three years without charge, in relation to the High Court's overruling of the application to take their case to the Supreme Court. [23099/13]

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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

60. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any recent meetings with the British Government to discuss the continued imprisonment of persons (details supplied); and if so will he provide details of these meetings. [23236/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 60 together.

I am very aware of the cases to which the Deputies refer and my officials monitor these and other cases very closely. The first individual was released by the British authorities under licence in 1992. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland revoked that licence in April 2010 and the individual has as a result been in custody for over three years. I understand that the Parole Commissioners are due to begin a second review of this case. In addition, this case has been the subject of complex legal proceedings. My officials have raised the recent developments in this case with the British side and will report to me shortly.

In the second case, the individual referred to has been detained for over two years since 13 May 2011, also following the revocation of a life licence by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Genuine concerns have repeatedly been raised about several aspects of this case by members of the Oireachtas including with regard to the legality of the individual’s current imprisonment and the conditions in which the individual is being detained. I have raised these very frankly with the British Government including during my meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Teresa Villiers, in Belfast on 29 April. The Parole Commissioners are currently reviewing this case and their decision is awaited.

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