§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in how many cases, to date, the papers of Irish prisoners who have applied for repatriation have been passed to the Irish Government; in how many cases prisoners have awaited a response for(a) more than three months, (b) more than four months, (c) more than five months and (d) a longer period; what consultation has taken place between both Governments to expedite the processing of such applications; and if he will make a statement; [1767]
(2) how many Irish prisoners have been repatriated to the Irish Republic since the Irish Government ratified the relevant convention; how many prisoners are currently awaiting repatriation; what proposals Her Majesty's Government have to accelerate such repatriation; and if he will make a statement. [1768]
§ Ms Joyce QuinSeventy-five requests for repatriation to the Irish Republic have been referred to the Irish Government. Of these, from the date of first application for repatriation to the date of notification of the final outcome of the request, one prisoner was notified of the decision in his case in less than three months; the remaining 74 prisoners have awaited notification of a final decision for six months or more. Of these, 19 prisoners have been notified of the outcome of their applications and 55 applications remain to be determined.
To date, 10 prisoners have been repatriated to the Republic. Six prisoners whose applications for repatriation to the Republic have been agreed by all parties concerned are currently awaiting repatriation.
Officials in the two jurisdictions are in regular contact regarding the processing of repatriation applications and ways of ensuring that such requests are dealt with as quickly as possible.