Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2012
129 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline his involvement, if any, in relation to the conditions at Maghaberry Prison, County Antrim, in which numerous Irish citizens are imprisoned and subjected to these conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25084/12]
View answerThe issue of prisons within Northern Ireland and the conditions contained within is a devolved matter related to the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland and an executive agency of this Department, the Northern Ireland Prison Service. Arising from the Hillsborough Agreement of February 2010 which led to the devolution of policing and justice, Dame Ann Owers and the Prison Review Team were commissioned to undertake a 360 degree review of the prison system which had a very strong focus on how best to protect the human rights of individual prisoners. Following this review, in October 2011 a report into prison reform was published by Owers which made forty recommendations related to prison reform in Northern Ireland. Much progress has been made to date in implementing the recommended reforms contained within this report. Where particular issues or allegations arise in relation to conditions in Maghaberry Prison or any other prisons in Northern Ireland which affect an Irish citizen, the Government will continue to raise the matter with the relevant authorities where appropriate. The full implementation of all of the recommendations of the Owers Report remains the most effective way to ensure that conditions within all prisons in Northern Ireland are of an acceptable standard.
