asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government Minister or Department who have been given responsibility for ensuring Ireland's ratification of the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners; the steps which are being taken to have the Convention ratified and its provisions passed into domestic law; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The formal arrangements in relation to ratification of the convention are a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs. However, the practical and legislative measures which may be necessary to enable the ratification to proceed are primarily a matter, in the first instance, for the Minister for Justice. The issue is currently under consideration in the Department of Justice.