asked the Minister for External Affairs if he is in a position to say whether the information supplied by the British Home Office last May in respect of Irish prisoners held in Britain was correct or not.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Prisoners in Britain.
The embassy in London was informed in writing by the British Home Office on 22nd September, 1969, that two Irish citizens then remanded in custody in Brixton prison did not wish any information about themselves to be disclosed by the Home Office to the embassy. Their case continued through the normal trial and appeal procedures until July of this year when the final appeal failed.
Since then it has been brought to my attention that one of the men concerned denies that he ever so advised the Home Office; I am not aware of the attitude taken at present by the other person concerned.
The embassy has raised the matter again with the British Home Office and my understanding is that consultations are continuing in the matter.
Would the Minister say if any form of reproof has been delivered to the Home Office for the incorrect information they gave?
"Reproof" is not the right word, but certainly we are taking the matter up strongly.