John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made in the study being conducted by his Department into Irish prisoners abroad; the non-governmental organisations that have been consulted in its preparation; when he expects the study will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36213/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In October 2005, I appointed the former Minister of State, Chris Flood, to undertake a study into Irish prisoners serving sentences abroad. The terms of reference of the study are:

To identify the numbers of Irish people in prison overseas and the countries in which they are being held;

To examine the needs of Irish overseas prisoners; and

Based on this identification and estimate, to make recommendations for the future provision of services to overseas prisoners, taking into account the services available in comparable countries.

I understand that the study is at an advanced stage, and that a significant number of organisations have been consulted. I look forward to receiving the completed report in due course from Mr. Flood.