Transfer of prisoners

13. Tony Killeen (Clare): To ask the Taoiseach what is the present position regarding the transfer of the Balcombe Street siege prisoners to a jail in the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

An Taoiseach: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has recently consented to the transfer of the prisoners referred to, and the necessary documentation as required under the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced persons has been returned to the United Kingdom authorities for their further consideration. The consent of the Home Secretary and the formal consent of the prisoners is now awaited. On receipt of same, arrangements will be made to apply to the High Court for the necessary warrants authorising their transfers and their continued detention here.

The Deputy may wish to note that considerable progress has been made in the area of prisoners transfers to Ireland, in line with provisions of the Convention. Eleven republican prisoners have been transferred to Ireland from the UK since 3 December, 1997 under the provisions of the Convention. This brought the total number of republican prisoners transferred to date from the United Kingdom to Ireland to seventeen.

I can assure the Deputy that every effort will continue to be made to process all such applications for transfer here as expeditiously as possible.