Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Is it the position now that the transfer of prisoners cannot take place while we are waiting for this legislation to come through? I know there are several people who are waiting to transfer to complete their sentences in this jurisdiction. The Bill is vital for those prisoners. Legislative delays are not acceptable given that by the end of this year the transfer of this EU decision into Irish law will have been four years in gestation. That is an exceptionally long time. I do not think it is fair to prisoners who are waiting for transfers to have this situation going on for so long. As I understand it, no transfers are taking place now because of this. Will the Tánaiste clarify whether that is the situation?

See this speech in context