§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to decide on the application of Michael O'Brien to be repatriated to prison in the Irish Republic; when he received the latest response from the Irish authorities concerning Mr. O'Brien's sentence; and if he will make a statement. [29746]
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 20 May 1996]: The repatriation of prisoners between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland is governed by the Council of Europe convention on the transfer for sentenced persons. The convention requires the consent of both states involved as well as that of the prisoner concerned before repatriation can take place. Under the terms of the convention the receiving state must provide, among other things, details of how they intend to continue to enforce the sentence. In the case of Mr. O'Brien, information on this was provided by the Irish authorities on 14 February. The Government's long-established policy is not to agreed to prisoners transferring to other jurisdictions, save in exceptional circumstances, if, as a consequence, a prisoner is likely to receive a substantial reduction in time to serve. The information provided by the Republic of Ireland is currently under consideration and Mr. O'Brien's request will be determined as soon as possible.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he announced that Patrick Kelly was to be repatriated to prison in the Irish Republic; on what date Mr. Kelly was transferred from Northern Ireland to the Republic; and if he will make a statement. [29747]
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 20 May 1996]: Patrick Kelly was advised on Thursday 9 May of the decision to grant his request for repatriation to the Republic of Ireland. He was transferred there on Tuesday 14 May.