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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 17 Dec 1981

Vol. 331 No. 12

Written Answers. - Prisoner Parole.

261.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise with the British authorities the question of granting parole on humanitarian grounds to a person (details supplied) who is a political prisoner in Britain and who has been eligible for parole since 1977 and to two Irish women (details supplied) who are in Durham Jail and who have been eligible for parole since April 1979.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Professor Dooge)

It is the policy of the Government to do all in their power to ensure that Irish prisoners in prisons in Britain are treated in a manner consistent with their basic human rights, are not discriminated against and are able to avail themselves of the rights and facilities accorded to prisoners generally.

If representations are made by a prisoner's immediate family and if it is considered that the facts warrant it, the cases of individual prisoners in prisons in Britain are raised with the British authorities. The Embassy in London has been in touch with the British authorities about the cases to which the Deputy refers on many occasions over the years and is continuing to monitor the situation.

While the Deputy's information about the eligibility for parole of the three people concerned appears to be accurate, mere eligibility does not, we are told, warrant expectation of release on parole in the case of Category A prisoners.

Questions Nos. 262 to 265, inclusive, postponed.

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