LABOUR TDs and Sinn Fein have welcomed the transfer of three republican prisoners to Portlaoise Prison under the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act. The three men, Derek Doherty, Michael O'Brien and Pairic Mac Floinn, were moved to the prison yesterday.
The decision to move the prisoners was made at the end of September by the British Home Secretary, Mr Michael Howard, but the actual transfer was delayed.
A statement issued by the Lab our Party delegation who recently visited the prisoners said the transfers were "most welcome and could only have a beneficial affect on future developments in the peace process".
Sinn Fein vice president, Mr Pat Doherty, said the transfer was "a welcome and overdue step towards the repatriation of all political prisoners from jails in England".
All three men are from Dublin and were serving their sentences in Full Sutton Prison near Leeds. Doherty is serving 25 years for conspiracy to cause explosions in England.
O'Brien is serving 18 years for attempted murder, while Mac Floinn is serving 35 years for conspiracy to cause explosions.
The Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, said the remainder of their sentences will be enforced in accordance with the laws and regulations which apply to people who have been sentenced in Ireland.
Labour TD Mr Joe Costello said the lack of action on prisoner transfers had "been a huge source of frustration amongst republican ,prisoners who were instrumental in bringing about the original IRA ceasefire".
Mr Costello said the move would "greatly facilitate the prisoners families who had to travel great distances at considerable cost".