Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 496: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason no extradition proceedings were taken to bring a person (details supplied) back to Ireland to face proceedings here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18758/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Extradition arrangements between the Member States of the European Union (EU) are governed by the provisions of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003, as amended, and, insofar as arrangements between Ireland and other states are concerned, by the Extradition Act 1965, as amended. In each instance, the decision in relation to seeking extradition rests with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Under the provisions of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003, a court may, upon application made by or on behalf of the DPP, issue a European Arrest Warrant in respect of a person where it is satisfied, inter alia, that a domestic warrant has been issued for the arrest of that person but has not been executed and the person may not be in the State. In relation to a person outside the EU, a request for extradition can only arise where the DPP has decided that an individual should be prosecuted in the first instance. As the Deputy will appreciate, the DPP is completely independent in the exercise of his functions.