41 Mr. Cullimore asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the up-to-date position regarding the case of Nicky Kelly.

43 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice if he will give details of the number of submissions he has received regarding the case of Nicky Kelly.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 43 together.

The position is that Mr. Kelly's legal advisers have submitted a formal petition to the Government requesting a pardon pursuant to Article 13.6 of the Constitution. That request is being considered in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. Pending completion of that consideration, it would be inappropriate to comment further other than to say that I expect that this consideration will be completed in the very near future.

As regards the number of submissions received about Mr. Kelly's case, the position is that representations or submissions have been received from 22 persons or organisations since the beginning of the year. Representations have been received also in previous years but it would require commitment of a disproportionate amount of time and effort, which would not be justified, to ascertain the exact number.