Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

As I said earlier, there were a number of sentences in this case. There was a 20-year sentence which, I am informed, was the subject of the royal prerogative. I am further informed that the royal prerogative did not apply to life sentences which she had been given and that those life sentences are subject to the life licence which was withdrawn by the Secretary of State.

As I said, we have raised this issue with the Northern Ireland Office and it has advised that the independent parole commissioners considered the terms of the royal prerogative of mercy after receiving submissions on behalf of the prisoner and on behalf of the Secretary of State. They ruled that the life sentences were not, in fact, remitted by the royal prerogative of mercy and that the prisoner remains subject to the life sentence.

I did receive a letter from a case worker at the Pat Finucane Centre on 27 March last raising detailed concerns on the legality of the conditions of the detention, and I thanked the centre for communicating these concerns to me. My officials have followed up with the relevant authorities since then and these contacts are ongoing. Whatever concerns were raised about the circumstances of detention, there is an obligation to address these concerns and to demonstrate them to be unfounded. I discussed them with the Secretary of State, Mr. Paterson MP, at our meeting on 27 April. He has indicated that the case is currently due for review by the parole commissioners and that he will be guided by their decision.

I am aware of the concerns surrounding the prisoner's health. These concerns led to the prisoner being removed from Maghaberry Prison to the medical wing of Hydebank Prison where, I have been informed, medical and prison administration staff are making every effort to make the prisoner comfortable. Nonetheless, concerns about the prisoner's health persist and I believe these have to be addressed. I have been advised that a medical expert on behalf of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health has requested an assessment visit. I have asked to be informed on the outcome of that visit.

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