asked the Minister for Justice if he will arrange for the transfer of a prisoner (details supplied) in Limerick Prison to serve the remainder of his sentence in a Dublin prison having regard to the fact that it is quite impossible for his wife or children to travel to Limerick to visit him and that this constitutes an unwarranted, unintended and undue punishment in his case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prisoner Transfer.
14.
The decision to transfer a number of prisoners, including the prisoner referred to, from Portlaoise to Limerick was taken for valid reasons arising out of pressure on accommodation in Portlaoise and the antagonism between various groups of prisoners there. On the basis of the information available to me from the Garda Síochána, I could not agree to his transfer to a Dublin prison where the security arrangements are not as strict as in Limerick or Portlaoise.
Would the Minister not agree that it represents a very harsh punishment on this prisoner to be in Limerick prison, having regard to the fact that he is a young man and that it is impossible for his wife and young children to get to see him in that prison? As the prisoner will not see his wife and family for many years, would the Minister not reconsider that aspect of the matter?
I must concern myself with the security of the prison and the risks to the public.
I fully support the Minister's concern for security in the matter and I recognise the reasons for his decision, but I would like to know if it is possible to make any provision in cases like this to assist the prisoners' relatives who may be unable, for financial reasons, to make such visits?
If the Deputy has something in mind I would be glad to examine it.
Has the Minister's Department got any funds at their disposal to assist genuinely necessitous cases of families visiting relations in prison?
I do not have any funds to do that but, on all occasions, as far as it is possible, and where there is no risk to security, families have been assisted.
Have they been assisted financially?
No.
That is what I was asking, have they been assisted financially?
They have not been assisted financially.
We recognise why prisoners have to be in particular locations but the hardship as a result of that should not be borne by the families of prisoners. I think all sides of the House would be happy to know that small sums of money would be provided to deal with cases of genuine necessity. Would the Minister look into this question?
I will examine that question.
I am not satisfied with the Minister's reply in the case of this prisoner. Is the Minister telling the House that the prisons in Dublin are insecure and incapable of holding this man who maintains, rightly or wrongly, that he does not belong to any illegal organisation and could serve his sentence in a Dublin prison which would be quite adequate? I am asking the Minister to look again at the case of the particular individual involved with a view perhaps in the special circumstances to permitting him to serve the remaining part of his sentence in Dublin.
I will look at this situation again as requested by the Deputy. I would like to state, however, that the advice given to me from people who are experts clearly indicates that it is not appropriate or correct that the person should be transferred to Dublin.