Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 549: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons extradited from Ireland to the UK generally and to Northern Ireland specifically, on foot of the European arrest warrant since its introduction for terrorist and other offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23962/05]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 550: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons extradited from Ireland to other EU countries on foot of the European arrest warrant since its introduction in respect of terrorist and other offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23963/05]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 551: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if procedural difficulties have been encountered with requests from the United Kingdom with regard to the European arrest warrant; if so, the steps which have been taken to overcome them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23964/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 549 to 551, inclusive, together.

The European Arrest Warrant Act came into operation on 1 January 2004. Two persons have been surrendered from Ireland to the UK generally during this period. One of these was to Northern Ireland. Neither of the cases was terrorism related.

There have been no persons surrendered to date to other EU countries on foot of European arrest warrants. A number of other surrender orders have been made by the High Court but the persons concerned have not been surrendered because they have appealed the decisions to the Supreme Court.

With regard to European arrest warrants received from the UK and other member states, it has been necessary in some cases to seek clarification in respect of certain matters or to seek additional information. It was also necessary, prior to the coming into effect of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005, which amended the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003, to require certain undertakings in all cases before a warrant could be presented to the High Court for endorsement. Under the amendments contained in the 2005 Act, this is no longer necessary unless the court requests the undertakings.