18 Ean 2012, 16:53
The Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement meets tomorrow to discuss ex-prisoner issues in the context of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Committee will be joined for this discussion by ex-prisoners from both loyalist and republican communities. They include Raymond McCartney, Rosy McCorley, Jackie McDonald and Colin Halliday.
Chairman of the Committee Dominic Hannigan says: “The accelerated release of prisoners affiliated to organisations on ceasefire was seen by many as crucial to the success of the Good Friday Agreement. It no doubt remains for many the most controversial and emotive aspect of the Agreement.
“The Agreement put in place measures for accelerated release under licence within two years of approximately 500 prisoners - 300 republican and 200 loyalist - mostly in Northern Ireland but some also in this jurisdiction.
“Our Committee is responsible for considering the issues arising for Ireland as a signatory to the Good Friday Agreement and it is in this context that Committee Members are keen to hear from ex-prisoners on their reintegration back into the community.
“The Good Friday Agreement contained a commitment to assist former prisoners in availing of employment opportunities, retraining and further education and the Committee looks forward to hearing from the ex-prisoners on their experiences in this regard.”
The meeting will be held in Committee Room 4, LH2000, at 11.30 a.m. on Thursday, 19 January 2012.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at: http://bit.ly/24YmPI
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For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Members of the Committee:
Deputies Seán Conlan, Seán Crowe, Clare Daly, Regina Doherty, Alan Farrell, Frank Feighan, Martin Ferris, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Dominic Hannigan, Michael P. Kitt, Joe McHugh, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Joe O’Reilly, Brendan Smith and Joanna Tuffy.
Senators Jim D’Arcy, Maurice Cummins, Martin McAleese, Mary Moran, Mary White.
Chairman: Dominic Hannigan, TD Vice-Chairman: Joe O'Reilly, TD