HC Deb 09 July 1998 vol 315 c591W
Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Government of the Irish Republic about the possible release of prisoners convicted of terrorist offences repatriated to the Irish Republic following the Belfast Agreement. [48947]

Ms Quin

As part of the 10 April Belfast Agreement, both the British and the Irish Governments agreed to put in place mechanisms to provide for the accelerated release of prisoners. The release of prisoners within the Irish Republic, including those repatriated from England and Wales, is a matter for the Irish Government. However, discussions are taking place about the effect of the Republic's proposals for the accelerated release of prisoners on those prisoners repatriated from England and Wales.