Ruairí Quinn objected to proposals to transfer inmates

Minister for public service, Ruairí Quinn, objected 30 years ago to proposals for Ireland to sign a European Convention which would allow for the transfer of Irish prisoners held abroad back home because of the existing overcrowding problem in Irish prisons.

Cabinet papers from May 1986 show there were fears that ratification of the convention would also add pressure on the Government to seek the transfer of terrorist prisoners from Britain.

Minister for foreign affairs, Peter Barry, supported the signing of the document notwithstanding concerns there might be difficulty in accommodating such prisoners in already overcrowded facilities in the Republic.