Clare Daly
Question:55. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recent contact he has had with the British and Northern Ireland authorities regarding prisoner conditions and issues. [22273/14]
View answerTuesday, 27 May 2014
Questions (55, 64)
Clare Daly
Question:64. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Justice Minister the issue of prisoners being held in the care and supervision unit in Maghaberry for months with no access to the separated wings, isolated, forcibly and repeatedly strip searched, and subjected to approaches by State agencies in total breach of human rights. [23074/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 64 together.
I have regular comprehensive discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, most recently on 21 May, about the overall situation in the North and the peace process. I discuss a number of issues regularly with her, including the threats posed by so-called dissident republicans, as well as attacks by loyalist paramilitaries and criminals on the PSNI and communities. I have also discussed the deplorable attacks on members of the PSNI and the Prison Service with her, and the ongoing threat to the lives of prison staff. I have in the past raised with the Secretary of State a small number of cases which arise from the exercise by her of certain non devolved powers in relation to national security issues. My officials in the British Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast monitor such cases on an ongoing basis.
My government colleagues and I meet regularly with the Minister for Justice of Northern Ireland, David Ford MLA, to discuss prisons, policing and criminal justice matters, as well as other matters of mutual concern. In that regard, I should note the high level of co-operation that exists on justice issues between the two jurisdictions, and in particular the excellent co-operation which exists between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI. I should also note the exemplary relationship which exists between Minister Ford and successive Ministers for Justice since his appointment in 2010.
I wholeheartedly agree with Minister Ford's analysis that delivery of a reformed justice system has a major part to play in building and protecting a more positive future for Northern Ireland.