Prisoner Transfers

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Ceisteanna (1286)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1286. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a prisoner (details supplied) at present incarcerated in Northern Ireland for offences committed prior to the Good Friday Agreement would be entitled to the terms of the Good Friday Agreement and the Weston Park Agreement in relation to early release if they transferred to a prison here, subject to their being entitled to early realease if they remained in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39178/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

It is not possible based on the information available to indicate whether the person concerned would be eligible for a transfer to this jurisdiction under the terms of the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, or to be deemed a qualifying prisoner under Section 3(2) of the Criminal Justice (Release of Prisoners) Act, 1998. Any application for transfer under the Convention must be considered by both jurisdictions and only after the detailed exchange of information as required by the legislation.