Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2018
29. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take with the British authorities and his EU counterparts in relation to the violation of human rights and the rule of law in relation to the detention of a person (details supplied) without allegation or evidence of wrongdoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11692/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers and my officials in the Belfast Secretariat monitor this and other cases as part of their ongoing work on prison issues generally in Northern Ireland. The person concerned was detained in March 2016 when the release licence granted to him under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement was revoked by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers. The case has been raised on an ongoing basis with the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) by my officials at the Belfast Secretariat. It also has also been the subject of representations to the NIO by various public representatives in Northern Ireland.
As part of the revocation process, the independent Northern Ireland Parole Commissioners carried out a full review of the case in June 2017. The Parole Commissioners are charged with taking into account the obligations on the State of the European Convention on Human Rights in making their recommendation. This includes assessing the risk to the public should the person remain at liberty. Those whose licence is revoked under this process are provided with a copy of the independent Parole Commissioners recommendation, which sets out the reasons the licence was revoked.
I understand that the Parole Commissioners hearing made a decision to uphold the revocation of this person’s license. My understanding is that a further parole hearing is due in the coming months.
A senior official from the Secretariat visited the person in custody in Maghaberry prison in July, at his request. I have asked that a further visit be arranged in the weeks ahead.
My officials will continue to actively monitor the case and remain in contact with the NIO on this issue.
