Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - Prisoners Abroad.

John Gormley

Ceist:

197 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons (details supplied) are being held in HMP Belmarsh and in Western Way in London; his views on whether they are being treated properly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18506/99]

John Gormley

Ceist:

199 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations, if any, he has made for the repatriation of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18549/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 197, 199 and 207 together.

Two persons concerned are being held in Frankland and Whitemoor prisons respectively, where they were transferred from Belmarsh during the summer. Both are security category A prisoners and are being held in normal conditions for their category. The Embassy in London has not received any complaints regarding their conditions of detention. Further consular visits to both prisoners will take place in the period ahead.

Both have applied for transfer under the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons to serve the balances of their sentences in this jurisdiction. The Government strongly sup ports the principle that, wherever possible, prisoners should be permitted to serve their sentences close to their families. Responsibility for the operation of this convention lies with my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Following representations made by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and by the Embassy in London, the British authorities have advised that they are in the process of collating the necessary documentation and reports required for the advancement of this process.