asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the fact that up to 100 prisoners with life sentences will be granted Christmas parole in the Six Counties; if it is his intention to grant Christmas parole to any prisoners serving life in (i) Portlaoise (ii) Mountjoy Women's Prison and (iii) Limerick Prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Christmas Parole.
157.
Decisions have not yet been taken in relation to granting temporary release at Christmas in the case of the categories of offenders referred to by the Deputy.
In my reply to Question No. 41 of 9 November, 1989, I set out the general criteria under which the cases of all offenders serving life sentences are assessed for possible release and also indicated that each case falls to be considered on its individual merits solely by reference to those criteria.
In relation to the position of life sentence prisoners generally, I informed the Dáil in the course of a debate on 1 December last that I was setting up a special body, on a non-statutory basis to be called, "The Sentence Review Group", to advise me, on an ongoing basis, in relation to the administration of long term prison sentences, including life sentences.