§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what obstacles there are preventing Irish nationals, convicted to serve custodial sentences in United Kingdom prisons, from being transferred to prisons in the Irish Republic; how many such prisoners there are in Her Majesty's prisons in Britain; how many have been transferred to prisons in the Irish Republic since 1 September 1994; and if he will make a statement. [17662]
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 3 April 1995]: There are 703 prisoners currently imprisoned in England and Wales who gave their nationality on reception into prison as Irish. The transfer of prisoners between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland is not possible. The United Kingdom ratified the Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons in 1985. The Republic of Ireland is a signatory to the convention but has yet to ratify it.