asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he supports the view recently advocated by Cardinal Ó Fiaich that Irish prisoners in English jails should be repatriated to serve the remainder of their sentences in Ireland; if he will outline Government policy in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Cardinal Ó Fiaich in his statement of 26 April 1984 referred to the demand for ‘some long-term Irish-born prisoners' in Britain to be transferred to serve their sentences in Northern Ireland. The Government have made representations to the British authorities on behalf of such prisoners requesting transfers, when it was judged that there were convincing reasons justifying such requests.

In reply the British Government have indicated their willingness in principle to consider particular requests for which there are compelling humanitarian reasons. I am conscious of the arguments in favour of transfer in certain cases. I am deeply concerned by the hardship experienced by the families of some of these prisoners. I will continue to take up cases which seem to me to be of merit.

Is the Minister aware that all British soldiers convicted of crimes in the North of Ireland have been repatriated to serve their sentences in English prisons? Does the Minister consider that the British Government's refusal in the vast majority of cases to transfer Irish prisoners serving sentences in English jails to prisons in the North of Ireland underlines a vindictiveness on the part of the British Government towards Irish prisoners? Can the Minister indicate if this view has been expressed to the British Government?

There are two aspects to the Deputy's question. The first relates to the question of where British soldiers who are convicted of offences are imprisoned — presumably that is put forward merely as a matter of fact, because that would be a matter for the British authorities. In relation to the second part of the Deputy's question I can say that this area has been discussed on a number of occasions at different levels with the British authorities. Indeed in specific cases the requests for transfer from my Government have received support where there were special reasons justifying such requests.