Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2017
263. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised or plans to raise the case of a person (details supplied) with his UK counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32739/17]
View answerI am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers and my officials in the Belfast Secretariat monitor this and other cases as part of their ongoing work on prison issues generally in Northern Ireland.
The person concerned was detained in March 2016 when the release licence granted to him under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement was revoked by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers. The case has been raised with the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) by my officials. It also has also been the subject of representations to the NIO by various public representatives in Northern Ireland.
As part of the revocation process, the independent Northern Ireland Parole Commissioners carry out a full review of the case. The Parole Commissioners are charged with taking into account the obligations on the State of the European Convention on Human Rights in making their recommendation. This includes assessing the risk to the public should the person remain at liberty. Those whose licence is revoked under this process are provided with a copy of the independent Parole Commissioners recommendation, which sets out the reasons the licence was revoked.
I understand that a Parole Commissioners hearing held some weeks ago made a decision to uphold the revocation of this person’s license.
My officials continue to actively monitor the case.
