Written question asked by Robert McCartney (United Kingdom Unionist), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 December 1996. It was answered by John Wheeler (Conservative) on Tuesday, 3 December 1996 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

Northern Ireland Office;Northern Ireland Prison Service

Question: What information his Department is collating about early releases of prisoners transferred to the Irish Republic; if it will be made public; and if he will comment on such releases to date. - Text of letter from Alan Shannon of Northern Ireland Prison Service.

Answer: Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information his Department is collating about early releases of prisoners transferred to the Irish Republic; if it will be made public; and if he will make a statement on such releases to date. [6380] Sir John Wheeler: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Northern Ireland Prison Service under its chief executive, Mr. Alan Shannon. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from Alan Shannon to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 2 December 1996: In the absence of the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your parliamentary question on the collation of information about early release of prisoners transferred to the Republic of Ireland. The Republic of Ireland ratified the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons in November 1995 making it possible for the first time to repatriate prisoners between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Since that date no prisoners, for whom the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has responsibility, have been repatriated to the Republic of Ireland.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 6380; 286 c626W;286 c624W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Disclosure of information Northern Ireland Prisoners' transfers Prisoners' release Republic of Ireland