Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 372: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) who was repatriated from a prison in England and is serving the remainder of their sentence in the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise has been refused compassionate leave or temporary release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17949/09]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 373: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the release date for a person (details supplied) who was repatriated from a prison in England and is serving the remainder of their sentence in the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise. [17950/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 372 and 373 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the person in question is serving an indeterminate life sentence for murder having been repatriated from the United Kingdom in January,2007. All prisoners who are serving life sentences are eligible to have their cases reviewed by the Parole Board when they have served seven years in custody. The board, which was set up in 2001, makes recommendations to me as Minister in relation to the management of offenders serving long sentences. Generally speaking life sentenced prisoners are reviewed on a number of occasions over a number of years before any substantial recommendations are made that might result in the prisoner being released into the community to continue to serve their sentences, subject to strict conditions. In relation to the person the subject of this Parliamentary Question I can advise that the case was reviewed by the Parole Board in 2007. I understand that the case is due to be reviewed again by the board in 2010.

More generally, requests for compassionate leave and/or temporary release are submitted through the Governor of the prison and forwarded to my Department for consideration. Each case is considered on its individual merits and it would not be appropriate to comment on the circumstances surrounding any particular application.