HC Deb 17 November 1997 vol 301 c46W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will indicate the time-frame within which the transfer of IRA prisoners to the Republic of Ireland, to which he has agreed in principle, will take place. [16475]

Ms Quin

Determination of repatriation requests requires detailed consideration by both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Repatriation cannot take place until all parties, including the prisoner, have given their formal consent. It is not possible to specify how long this process may take in any individual case.