§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when documents concerning the application by John Blair to be repatriated to a prison in the Irish Republic were sent to the appropriate authorities in the Republic; when he expects John Blair will be repatriated; and if he will make a statement; [1972]
(2) when Harry Duggin and Joe O'Connell applied to be repatriated to a prison in the Republic of Ireland; if the necessary documents have been referred to the appropriate authorities of the Republic; when he expects both prisoners will be repatriated; and if he will make a statement. [1973]
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 4 November 1996]: The necessary documentation relating to Mr. Blair's repatriation request was referred to the Republic of Ireland on 18 September 1996. Referral of an application does not mean that repatriation will necessarily take place. Repatriation is as well as of the prisoner, following consideration of all the relevant information.
Mr. Duggin's request was originally made on 18 September 1995 and Mr. O'Connell's on 19 July 1995. However, neither request could be considered until the Republic of Ireland brought the Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons into force in the Republic on 1 November 1995. Both these requests remain under consideration and have not been referred to the Republic.