Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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528. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline his views on whether the public interest is being served by the continuing imprisonment of a person (details supplied) who has several health complications and who was originally imprisoned for a principled decision to refuse to sign a document forbidding the making of political protests at Shannon Airport at the US military's use of the airport en route to wars in the Middle East. [9268/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that judges are independent in the matter of sentencing as they are in other matters concerning the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law. Therefore, I cannot comment in any way on the decision of any individual case.

The Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003 provides that I may approve the temporary release of a sentenced prisoner. I am advised that the option of temporary release has been explained to the prisoner referred to and the conditions which are attached to the granting of temporary release. However, I am further advised that the prisoner concerned has advised prison management that she would not be compliant with those conditions therefore temporary release has not been approved.

I would like to again remind the Deputy that an application for temporary release may be made by the prisoner concerned. I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that should such an application be submitted, it will be considered in the normal way with all of the relevant facts of the individual's circumstances being taken into consideration.

I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate that, in this case, the resolution of the matter rests with the prisoner.