The delays in repatriating Irish prisoners from Britain to serve their terms closer to their families are "entirely unsatisfactory" and "nothing short of a scandal", according to Dr Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland.
He said the Irish Bishops' Commission for Prisoners Overseas had "long been concerned about the inordinate delay in the processing of applications" for repatriation.
Prisoners serving abroad are entitled to apply for repatriation under the European Convention on the Treaty of Sentenced Persons Act.
"According to records, it takes between two-and-a-half to three years to process a straightforward UK to Republic of Ireland application. This is entirely unsatisfactory," he said.
In comparison, it took between nine and 12 months for the repatriation of British prisoners from overseas.
"It is little short of a scandal that Irish families should find themselves in this situation," Dr Brady said.
"It is obvious that if society maintains the link between a prisoner and his or her family's support and influence, then it greatly reduces the risk of reoffence and also reduces the likelihood of homelessness and further crime."
He said this highlighted the need for the setting up of an agency for the Irish abroad, to co-ordinate the necessary departments and agencies.
Dr Brady was addressing the Irish Association Social Club in Manchester at the weekend.
Referring to the recent RTÉ Prime Time documentary on the plight of elderly Irish emigrants living in poverty, he called for the urgent implementation of the re- commendations in the Ireland and Irish Abroad report by the Task Force on Emigrant Policy.
"What makes their predicament so heartfelt is that they gave so much to our country in leaner days.
"In many cases they left Ireland out of absolute necessity," Dr Brady said. "When they went abroad, they continued to remember their families and friends at home and regularly sent money back to their loved ones."
He also warned that the sending of chaplains to work with emigrants in Britain may have to be curtailed because of the decline in vocations here.
"Sadly, with a shortage of priests back home, we will have to carefully examine how we can sustain this into the future," he said.
Later, Dr Brady called on the Irish Government to exploit the potential of the EU presidency to leave "an indelibly enlightened mark" on EU asylum policy.
"The objective of our presidency should be to provide the most enlightened legislation and to avoid the creation of a 'fortress Europe' mentality," he said.
He welcomed last week's "cordial and constructive" meeting between Dr Ian Paisley and the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and said it augured well for the upcoming review of the Belfast Agreement.
