THE decision by the British Home Secretary, Mr Michael Howard, to allow the transfer of three republican prisoners from England to jails in the Republic has been widely welcomed.
But there was criticism of the delay in implementing the transfer legislation agreed between Britain and Ireland and a warning that it could be a "potential obstacle" to a future IRA ceasefire.
All are from Dublin and are serving sentences in Full Sutton prison near Leeds, and are expected to be transferred "shortly".
Derek Doherty, single, is serving 25 years for conspiracy to cause explosions in England. He was arrested in October, 1993, and convicted in 1994.
Mick O'Connor, who is serving 8 years, was arrested in October, 1992, and convicted of attempted murder. He is married with two children.
Padraig Mac Fhloinn, single, is serving 35 years for conspiracy to cause explosions in England. He was arrested in February, 1993.
Labour Party TD Mr Joe Costello welcomed the transfers but warned that prisoners' grievances about conditions and the delay by the British government in implementing the transfer legislation remained a "major bone of contention" and "potential obstacle to a future ceasefire".
He was speaking on behalf of the Labour Party group, which visited prisoners in English jails on a number of occasions and included Mr Declan Bree TD Mr Tommy Broughan TD and Senator Sean Maloney.
The Sinn Fein vice president, Mr Pat Doherty, welcoming the news, said: "It has been a long time coming. It will mean a great deal to the families of the prisoners who have had to make the arduous journey to visit relatives in jails in England for many years.
"There are a number of other prisoners who have also applied for transfer to prisons nearer home. We hope that their cases will be expedited as soon as possible."
The Committee for the Transfer of Irish Prisoners said it was disappointed that a fourth prisoner, Joe McKenny, who will be 70 this week and whose sentence finishes in February next year, was not being transferred.
Mr Robert McClenaghan, of the Committee called for the immediate transfer of the remaining 27 republican prisoners, including five men who have served 21 years.
