§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he received a response from the Republic of Ireland concerning the application by seven prisoners detained in the United Kingdom to be repatriated to prisons in the Republic; when he intends to reach a decision in each case; when he expects the prisoners to be repatriated; and if he will make a statement. [18899]
§ Miss WiddecombeThe Council of Europe convention of the transfer of sentenced persons came into force for the Republic of Ireland on 1 November 1995. The first seven requests made by prisoners in England and Wales seeking repatriation to the Republic were referred to the Irish authorities on 21 December. A response on five of these requests was received on 14 February; an response in respect of the two remaining requests is awaited.
All repatriation requests require careful consideration and repatriation is subject to both jurisdictions and the prisoner concerned consenting to the arrangements for the continued enforcement of the sentence concerned. Decisions will be made on the individual merits of each request and notified to the prisoner concerned as soon as is possible.