Tony Gregory
Ceist:40 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice if she intends to give parity of treatment to INLA prisoners in Portlaoise Prison, County Laois, when considering applications for Christmas parole in 1995. [18412/95]
Written Answers. - INLA Prisoners Parole.
All applications for temporary release, including temporary release for the Christmas period, are considered on their individual merits. The factors which would be taken into account in assessing such applications include the nature of the offence for which the offender was committed, the sentence imposed by the court, the length of time served, behaviour while in custody and, most importantly, whether the granting of temporary release would be likely to pose any risk to the community. These same criteria will be applied to the prisoners referred to by the Deputy and I am sure he will appreciate that I cannot predetermine the outcome of their applications.