Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

As I said, there has been a request for a medical assessment to be carried out on behalf of UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health and I have asked to be informed on the outcome of that visit. In respect of whether the royal prerogative applies to the life sentences or whether it applies only to the 20-year sentence, again, the parole commissioners looked at that and they concluded that the life sentences were not remitted by the royal prerogative of mercy and that the prisoner remains subject to life licence. As I also said, however, when I met the Secretary of State on 27 April, he indicated the case was due for review by the parole commissioners and that he would be guided by their decision.

See this speech in context