340. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the status of an Irish citizen currently incarcerated in a French prison (details supplied); and the status of transferring the prisoner to serve out their time in an Irish prison. [38862/24]

I am aware, through my officials in the Irish Prison Service, of the case referred to by the Deputy involving the Irish citizen currently incarcerated in France. The Irish Prison Service is liaising with the French authorities, the Chief State Solicitor’s Office, and officials in my Department to gather the necessary information to progress the matter.

As the Deputy will be aware, EU Framework Decision 2008/909/JHA on the mutual recognition of custodial sentences establishes the conditions and procedures for the transfer of custodial sentences between EU Member States. This Framework Decision has been implemented in Ireland through the Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Custodial Sentences) Act 2023, which was signed into law on 1 March 2023 and commenced on 3 May 2023.

I am also advised that processing a possible transfer under this legislation takes time, as it requires a legal assessment on a case-by-case basis and the detailed exchange of information between various agencies in both countries. However, every effort is made to progress each case as quickly as possible and within the statutory timeframe.