Ray Burke
Question:17 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, he is taking in relation to the treatment of prisoners and visits by their relatives at Belmarsh Prison, England. [6901/95]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment of Prisoners.
Tony Gregory
Question:22 Mr. Gregory asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations, if any, he has made to the British Authorities impressing on them the importance of a parallel programme of releases of Provisional IRA prisoners in British jails; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3574/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 22 together.
I have consistently emphasised to the British Government the need to respond positively to the new situation created by the ceasefires. In that context the Government has pointed to the need for careful consideration of the position regarding prisoners, and made clear its view that a sensitive approach in this area has an important contribution to make to the consolidation of the peace process.
In that regard we have taken careful note of the situation regarding Irish prisoners in Britain, including those held at Belmarsh Prison. I have instructed our Embassy in London to monitor the situation closely and, at my request, an official recently visited Belmarsh where he met a number of Irish prisoners. We have also maintained close contact with many of the families concerned and with the relevant legal representatives. On foot of these contacts we have raised with the British authorities a number of issues relevant to conditions at the prison, including arrangements for visits by the families concerned, many of whom must travel long distances to reach the prison. If tackled on a pragmatic and sensitive basis, these problems can be satisfactorily resolved without any loss of principle. I assure the Deputy that I will continue to follow closely the situation at the prison and to urge that the difficulties there be addressed in as flexible a manner as possible.
As regards the question of prison releases, Deputies will be aware that the Government recently permitted, against a background of the significant reduction in the level of threat to the community, the early release of a number of prisoners serving sentences in this jurisdiction. The Government will continue to keep these matters under review in its contacts with the British Government and to encourage a flexible and sensitive approach in dealing with prison issues generally.
Given that of six Irish prisoners in Belmarsh Prison, two are locked up for 24 hours in their cells, without any exercise or fresh air, and the other four are locked up for between 18 and 19 hours a day in their cells with one hour only in the open air, will the Tánaiste agree that no matter what crime was committed, that constitutes an inhumane regime and the strongest possible protest should be made to the British authorities by our Government about their treatment?
There are certainly very serious, specific problems at Belmarsh Prison, relating to food, exercise, access to recreational and educational facilities, and arrangements for visits, on which our views have been communicated to the British Government. An official from our Embassy in London visited the prison on 16 March and met all concerned. In addition, my Department is in close contact with many of the families, on foot of which contacts we have raised with the British authorities a number of issues about which concern has been expressed. We have had detailed discussions with them about these issues and stressed the need for a flexible response. Discussions are continuing. I confirm that the Government approved today the Bill on the transfer of prisoners.
I welcome the approval of that Bill and hope it will be introduced and passed by the House in the near future. Will the Tánaiste accept that the prison regime is so vindictive as to ban the use of vitamin supplements which are absolutely essential due to the lack of fresh air? Will he accept that this regime is inhumane and will he make direct contact with the Secretary for Home Affairs on this issue? In regard to visits by families, because it takes 45 minutes from the time of arrival at the prison before visitors see the prisoners and there is more time involved in getting out of the prison, it is impossible for families from Ireland to make it a one day trip. That is outrageous.
As I said in my reply and in reply to the first supplementary, we have taken up the issues to which the Deputy referred with the British authorities and will continue to do so. The regime has to be addressed and we want to do everything possible to assist the prisoners and their families who have to endure considerable hardship because of these difficulties.