European Arrest Warrant Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 June 2013

Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Questions (179)

John Browne

Question:

179. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of extradition requests made here in 2012 under the European arrest warrant scheme; the number of persons returned here under the European arrest warrant; the amount the European arrest warrant scheme cost the Exchequer in 2012; the amount that was paid in legal fees in 2012 under the European Arrest Warrant Scheme; the number of requests Ireland made in 2012 under the European arrest warrant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28369/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Deputy may be interested to know that the Central Authority produces an annual report, under the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003, relating to European arrest warrants both received in and issued by the State. The annual report which provides details of 2012 figures was laid before the Oireachtas on 28th March 2013 and is available to view on the Department’s website, www.justice.ie, under “Press & Publications > Publications > Annual Reports”.

The specific figures requested by the Deputy are as follows:

- A total of 313 European arrest warrants were received from Member States by the Central Authority in 2012;

- 52 persons who were subjects of European arrest warrants from Ireland were surrendered to this jurisdiction during 2012;

- 88 European arrest warrants were transmitted by the Central Authority to other Member States in 2012.

With reference to legal fees, while I as Minister have no function in relation to the payment such fees, I have asked my Department to make enquiries with the relevant bodies and, once this information is to hand, I will write to the Deputy.