The Fine Gael spokesman on Northern Ireland, Mr Charlie Flanagan, called for consideration to be given to parole and the extension of New Year leave for paramilitary prisoners.
"This must particularly apply to loyalist prisoners who quite rightly believe that the prison issue to date has been weighted very much in favour of republicans, with little in the form of concessions to the fringe loyalist parties who have been responsible for the maintenance of the loyalist ceasefire for over three years."
Mr Flanagan was speaking during a debate on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons (Amendment) Bill, which passed all stages. Introducing the Bill, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr O'Donoghue, said it would facilitate the transfer into the State of persons who had been sentenced to periods of imprisonment greater than the maximum penalties allowed under Irish law for similar offences. Its immediate effect when enacted would be to facilitate the transfer of seven IRA prisoners currently in the UK.
Criticising the Bill, Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) said that while it was designed to facilitate repatriation there was grave concern among prisoners and their families at the requirement for the Irish authorities to implement in full in this jurisdiction the "savage sentences" imposed on prisoners in England.
"This legislation is being rushed through in the very last days before this House adjourns for Christmas. It is couched in general terms and the possible future very serious implications for both political and non-political prisoners have not, in my view, been fully explored," he added.
Ms Liz McManus (DL, Wicklow) described as "misjudged" the recent remark by Mr Gerry Adams - "good luck to him" - following the escape of an IRA prisoner from the Maze prison.