Northern Ireland Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 July 2013

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

Questions (167)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

167. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in County Down being held in Maghaberry Prison for over six months, whose disproportionately restrictive bail conditions if acceeded to would affectively ban them from living with their family in their home town and prevent them from even visiting their family doctor; if he has discussed the case in his meetings with the British Secretary for State Ms Teresa Villiers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31977/13]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The detention of the person referred to does not arise by virtue of powers vested in the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland but under devolved powers vested in the Northern Ireland Courts which are independent in the exercise of their functions. This is in keeping with the devolved settlement arising from the Good Friday Agreement and the Hillsborough Agreement. As such it would be inappropriate for me to seek to influence the matters to which the Deputy refers.