Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 7

Written Answers. - Transfer of Prisoners.

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

67 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations, if any, he has made to the British Government in relation to a request for accumulated visits to Belfast before January 1997 from three prisoners (details supplied) who have not seen their families except on one occasion in the past two-and-a-half years. [20070/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I am aware of the particular matter to which the Deputy refers.

Following applications by the prisoners in question to be temporarily transferred to Northern Ireland to enable them to receive accumulated visits, the Embassy in London raised this matter with the British authorities. In June, 1996 these requests were refused by the Home Secretary on grounds of security, possible disruption of a prison establishment and, in the case of one prisoner, insufficient links.

All the prisoners concerned have subsequently made further requests for temporary transfer to Northern Ireland for accumulated visits. On my instructions, the Embassy in London has raised the matter of these prisoners' further applications for temporary transfer to Northern Ireland to receive accumulated visits with the British authorities. The British authorities have advised that these requests are currently under consideration.

I assure the Deputy I have requested the Embassy in London to monitor this matter closely in the period ahead.