Written Answers. - Irish Prisoners in Britain.
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:
87
Éamon Ó Cuív
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs
whether he has expressed dissatisfaction to the British authorities in relation to the fact that a number of Irish prisoners being held in Belmarsh Prison have not seen their families for very long periods, in certain cases, for over two years, due to the fact that the British authorities are insisting on a regime of closed visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20377/96]
I am aware of the circumstances in which the particular prisoners to which the Deputy refers are being held. I understand that four of these prisoners have recently been moved to the special secure unit (SSU) at Full Sutton prison.
The Government has expressed its concern on a number of occasions to the relevant British authorities both within the framework of the Anglo-Irish Conference and through the Irish Embassy in London with regard to the system of closed visits which has been in operation for these prisoners since June 1995. We have highlighted the humanitarian difficulties caused for those prisoners, including in relation to family contact.
The British authorities have responded that the application of the policy of closed visits is a function of these prisoners' categorisation. They have stated that these prisoners' categorisation is periodically reviewed.
With regard to the applications made by three of these prisoners to be temporarily transferred to Northern Ireland to enable them to receive accumulated visits, I refer the Deputy to my answer to his written Question No. 67 of 30 October 1996. The British aurhorities continue to advise that these requests are currently under consideration.
I note that these prisoners have applied for transfer to this jurisdiction under the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. I reiterate that we stand ready to receive all such prisoners who seek to transfer to this jurisdiction under the Convention.
I want to assure the Deputy that we will continue to express the Government's concern to the British authorities about humanitarian aspects of the policy of closed visits.
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:
88
Éamon Ó Cuív
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs
the representations, if any, he has made to the British authorities on behalf of a person (details supplied) who is currently a prisoner in Maghaberry Prison, County Antrim, in relation to her application for either parole or compassionate temporary release to enable her to visit her father who is too ill to travel and who was in hospital recently with a severe illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20378/96]
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:
89
Éamon Ó Cuív
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs
the representations, if any, he has made to the British authorities in relation to an application by a person (details supplied) who is currently a prisoner in Maghaberry Prison, County Antrim, for a permanent transfer to the prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20379/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together.
I am aware of the particular circumstances of the individual referred to by the Deputy and I confirm that, on my instructions, her recent application for compassionate leave was raised on a number of occasions with the relevant British authorities. As the Deputy will be aware, the British authorities decided to refuse compassionte leave to the person in question for security and jurisdictional reasons.
However, I understand that a previous application made by her for compassionate parole remains the subject of ongoing legal proceedings in the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal. I am informed that a decision in the matter is expected shortly. I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to monitor developments in this matter closely in the period ahead.
With regard to the question relating to this prisoner's application for permanent transfer to Northern Ireland, I am aware that this prisoner has been on temporary transfer to Northern Ireland since July 1994. I am also aware that she is in the process of making a legal challenge to the status of this transfer. I am advised that this case is due to come again before the courts shortly. I would like to assure the Deputy that I have instructed my Department to follow this matter closely.
On the general question of prisoner transfers, the Government has made clear to the British authorities both through the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference and through the Irish Embassy in London its support for the principle that, wherever possible, prisoners should be permitted to serve their sentences close to their families. The Government has welcomed the transfer of Republican prisoners from prisons in Britain to Northern Ireland which have occurred since July 1994 and will continue to press for further transfers in the future. We have pressed for these transfers to be permanent rather than temporary, since temporary transfers create uncertainty and impose certain difficulties for prisoners and their families which would be avoided if the transfers were permanent.
The Deputy will recall that the Mitchell report pointed out that continued action by the two Governments on prisoners would bolster trust. Both Governments have again recognised in paragraph 12 of the communiqué of 28 February 1996 that confidence building measures will be necessary. In the view of the Irish Government, a key component in such measures is a constructive approach to prisoner issues. I would like to assure the Deputy that we will continue to emphasise the importance of proceeding in a humane and constructive manner in relation to prisoners in the period ahead.
