HC Deb 12 November 1987 vol 122 cc313-4W
20. Mr. John David Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has as to the reasons why the legislation for extradition in accordance with the European convention for the suppression of terrorism has not been brought into effect by the Government of the Republic of Ireland, as referred to by the Prime Minister at Hillsborough on 15 November 1985; what representations he has made to the Government of the Republic of Ireland in this respect; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Stanley

The Extradition (European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism) Act 1987, which was enacted on 21 January this year, provides for it to come into effect on 1 December. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made clear to the Irish Government the importance we attach to this.

Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current state of extradition agreements between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

Mr. Tom King

Extradition arrangements with the Republic of Ireland are governed by the backing of Warrants (Republic of Ireland) Act 1965 and by similar legislation in the Republic. Since the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement, both Governments have been working to make existing arrangements more effective.

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many requests for the extradition of persons from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland have been received in each of the last five years, and how many of these requests have been(a) granted and (b) refused.

Mr. Stanley

[holding answer 2 November 1987]: The information is as follows:

Year Number of persons sought Number extradited Number of requests refused
1983 5 1 0
1984 15 13 0
1985 0 0 0
1986 6 6 0
1987 3 1 0

Note: In no case was an extradition request refused. Where the number extradited is less than the number whose extradition was sought, this is because the others concerned either could not be located in Northern Ireland or they surrendered voluntarily to the Garda in the Republic or were arrested by them.

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