Northern Ireland

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022

Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Questions (391, 402)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

391. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the situation in Maghaberry Jail in which prisoners are being denied open visits despite the fact that Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted in the society outside the prison complex; if he will raise this matter with the authorities to ensure that the visiting regime being currently imposed does not lead to heightened tensions in the jail and that families that have been separated due to Covid-19 are not made to suffer further than needs be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9424/22]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

402. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions he or his officials have had since Christmas 2021 with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Office and with members of the Northern Ireland executive and administration regarding the prison conditions relating to republican prisoners held in HMP Magheraberry and HMP Hydebank Prisons, particularly issues relating to the conditions attaching to family visits, controlled movement, full body searching and educational issues; if these discussions have also covered the issues of extremely long remand and bail periods for prisoners awaiting trial for up to and over seven years in some cases; the response he has received in relation to these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10026/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 402 together.

Responsibility for Maghaberry and Hydebank prisons rests with the Northern Ireland Prison Service, which is overseen by the Northern Ireland Department of Justice.

As is the case with prisons in this jurisdiction, the overriding concern in recent times has been the health and safety within the prisons due to Covid 19. It is understood that Maghaberry Prison has so far had a good record in preventing cases of Covid 19 in the prison. Improvements in educational provision and other practices and procedures have had to be adapted or suspended due to the health and safety arrangements on Covid 19 prevention; it is expected that these will be restored as soon as is practicable.

Prison conditions in Northern Ireland, including for those in Maghaberry and Hydebank prisons, have been part of my regular dialogue with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. In addition, Departmental officials engage on a regular and ongoing basis with a range of interlocutors across the devolved and non-devolved authorities, including the ICRC to discuss, explore and encourage progress.

The Independent Reporting Commission (IRC), established by treaty between the Irish and British Governments, reports on the implementation of the Northern Ireland Executive’s Tackling Paramilitary Activity, Criminality and Organised Crime Programme. Among the actions under the programme is a commitment from the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland to revisit the framework related to the separated regime and arrange for an independent review of the operation of the regime. The IRC noted in its most recent report (published December 2021) that the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland plans an independent review of the separated regime but that this work would require Ministerial consideration and approval.