Written Answers Nos. 1-101
87. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he last met the British Prime Minister, David Cameron; the extent to which he made him aware of the destabilising impact of marches and violence in Northern Ireland; and if the British Prime Minister and his Cabinet issued any response to these problems. [41829/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers MP about the overall situation in Northern Ireland including contentious marches and the threat of violence. Over recent weeks, I met with all of the party leaders in the Executive and with the British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg MP as well as with the Independent Chair of the Panel of Parties, Dr. Richard Haass, to discuss ways forward. I have also visited the interface areas in Ardoyne, Carrick Hill and Short Strand and was briefed by the Apprentice Boys and the PSNI in Derry about their assessment of the situation. As the Deputy will know from his recent visit to Belfast, the threats posed by dissident groups are undoubtedly serious. Since 2009, a series of violent attacks by these dissident groups have taken place, resulting in injuries and in the deaths of two British Army personnel, two PSNI officers and a member of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, David Black, in a brutal attack just a year ago. I know that all members of this House unreservedly condemn these acts and support the Garda Síochána and the PSNI in their efforts to overcome the dissident threat.
Over the last year there have been serious public order disturbances in Belfast. Some reputational damage was certainly caused by extensive international media coverage of the violence in Belfast following the 12th of July parades and the so called anti-internment march organised by dissidents in August. I condemn all such violence and the disregard for the rule of law which has been shown. The Police Service of Northern Ireland Northern Ireland has our highest admiration for the professionalism they have shown in the face of provocation from dissident loyalism and dissident republicanism marching on the street of Belfast over the summer.
The Parades Commission has worked hard to find solutions to contentious parades and their legally binding decisions should command respect from the political leadership of Northern Ireland as well as in the community. Anything less than wholehearted support for the rule of law and for the Police Service of Northern Ireland damages peace and stability and is a matter of the most serious concern to the Irish government.
As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, the Irish and British Governments urge the political parties in Northern Ireland to grasp the opportunity offered by the Haas talks. Political leadership is essential if we are to prevent further damage to community relations and to build support for the rule of law, the PSNI and to secure stability and economic prosperity in Northern Ireland.
90. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department will consider establishing a passport office service in the north west, in view of the distance of that region from Dublin. [48805/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service provides a comprehensive range of options for citizens to apply for passports. Applications may be made by Passport Express through some 1,000 post offices across the country and some 70 post offices in Northern Ireland. This means that no Irish citizen in the State, including in the Deputy’s constituency has any significant distance to travel. Furthermore, as I have informed the House on a number of previous occasions an appointment service has been in operation at the Molesworth Street Passport Office for almost a year. The service allows customers to book a guaranteed time slot between 9:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday. The service removes the necessity for any citizen to queue and provides certainty as to the duration of time customers will wait to be seen at the public counter.
In relation to the Passport Express services, customers are given a commitment by the Passport Service that ten days from the date of receipt by the Passport Service of properly completed applications a passport will be issued. The attraction and popularity of this service is reflected in the fact that last year over 428,000 Irish citizens applied for their passports through Passport Express. This means that over 83% of all persons applying for their passports in the State use Passport Express. Demand for the service has increased by a further 5% so far in 2013.
I am satisfied that the range of service options meets the current demands of passport applicants. Moreover, given the current financial pressures on the Department’s resources, I do not believe there is a value for money basis to justify the opening of any additional regional passport office at this time.
91. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the landing of a US military plane in Shannon Airport with a fixed weapon, his plans to curtail and stop the movement of military aircraft through Irish airports and airspace. [48955/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra124. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has any concerns at the use of Shannon Airport by United States military aircraft; the reason an aircraft armed with a fixed weapon landed in Shannon Airport in September; his views on whether there is a need for inspections of US military aircraft as they pass through Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48996/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 124 together.
As I have stated in this House previously, I am aware that one US military aircraft recently landed in Shannon Airport armed with a fixed weapon. The aircraft therefore did not comply with Ireland’s policy conditions, which require that military aircraft are unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives, do not engage in intelligence gathering, and that the flights in question do not form any part of military exercises or operations.
The Government views any breaches of these conditions with the utmost concern, and, as the Deputy will be aware, the case in question was raised at the highest possible level with the US Embassy. The Embassy official expressed regret at this isolated incident, explained that it was due to an administrative error and provided assurances that steps have been taken by the US authorities to ensure that there is no recurrence.
A system for dealing with requests for landing by military aircraft at Shannon already exists and is being fully implemented. It is also kept under regular review to ensure that compliance with all relevant provisions of Irish legislation is maintained. The introduction of a system to inspect military aircraft passing through Shannon is not under consideration.
Arrangements for the overflight and landing of US military aircraft at Shannon Airport have been in place continuously under successive Governments for over fifty years. I am satisfied that these arrangements are fully consistent with Ireland’s policies and legal requirements, including our traditional policy of military neutrality. There are no plans to curtail or to stop the movement of military aircraft through Irish airports and airspace which takes place in accordance with these conditions.
92. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a cross-party delegation of MEPs, which included two Irish MEPs, were recently refused access to visit Gaza during an official visit to the region; and if he has discussed it with representatives of the Israeli Government or its embassy in Dublin. [48957/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIsrael has maintained for some time a policy of not enabling access to Gaza for official visitors, other than for Ministers with directly pertinent responsibilities, notably Foreign Ministers and Development Ministers. The rationale given is that continual visits by official delegations give tacit recognition to and support of the Hamas authorities in Gaza, and ignore the fact that the Palestinian Authority is effectively excluded from the Strip. Indeed this concern has also been expressed from time to time on the Palestinian side. I consider that visits to Gaza are important to show policymakers what are the real conditions there, and to convey to the local population that they have not been forgotten. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Israel does not want the effects of its policies in Gaza to be seen by a wider audience. I was of course aware of the recent refusal to allow a delegation from the European Parliament to enter Gaza, in keeping with this policy. My Department contacted the Israeli authorities, both via their Embassy in Dublin and through our own Embassy in Tel Aviv with the Foreign Ministry in Israel, to seek to have this decision reversed, and subsequently to express our disappointment that this was not granted. I have also been in direct contact myself with the two Irish MEPs concerned.
93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the EU member states collectively or individually have evaluated the economic, social and political effects of the possibility of Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union; the extent to which each member state is aware of the potential consequences; if specific provision is likely to be made across the European Union in the event of such a happening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48937/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra96. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has formed a view on the implications of the referendum, which has been proposed by the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, on the question of whether the United Kingdom should exit the European Union. [47730/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 96 together.
Prime Minister Cameron stated in a speech on 23 January 2013 that the Conservative party manifesto for the next parliamentary elections expected in 2015 will seek a mandate for a Conservative Government to negotiate a new settlement with EU partners, and that if a Conservative Government is elected, it will put such a settlement to a referendum in the first half of the next Parliament – i.e. by the end of 2017. However, as other political parties have not made equivalent commitments, the outcome of the next British Parliamentary elections may be a key factor in whether and when a referendum will take place.
In his speech, the Prime Minister set out a strong case regarding the importance of the UK’s continuing and active membership of the Union. I welcome that strong commitment. I note also that the leaders of the other main political parties in Britain also support the case for continued membership.
In terms of the Irish position on the current debate in the UK, I firmly believe that the UK is better off within the European Union, and that the Union is stronger by having the UK within it. The UK is Ireland’s nearest neighbour and largest trading partner. For this and many other reasons, it is in Ireland’s interest for the UK to remain in the European Union. I have stated this clearly on a number of occasions, most recently on my visit to London last week where I met Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. My colleague Minister of State Donohoe met with his counterpart in London earlier this month. Contacts between Dublin and London will continue on an ongoing basis.
The question of the British relationship with the European Union is, in the first instance, a matter for Britain itself. We know that other Member States are also watching this debate closely and I can confirm that the UK membership issue has arisen in bilateral contacts we have had during the year. However, there has been no collective evaluation of the implications of a potential British withdrawal. Such an evaluation, at this stage and in view of the uncertainty regarding the possible outcome, would be seen by many to be premature.
The UK remains a key partner for us in the European Union. Ireland’s prosperity will always be closely linked with deepening and enhancing the economic relationship with the UK, which remains our largest trading partner. Along with the UK and other Member States, we have a shared interest in making sure that the Union is properly equipped to meet the challenges of the future.
94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which it has been found possible unilaterally and through the aegis of the EU to co-ordinate a comprehensive aid programme for the Philippines in the wake of the recent natural disaster; the extent to which it has been found possible to meet requests for vital emergency supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48936/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the global community has put in place pre-arranged plans to assist in the event of major natural disasters such as the typhoon in the Philippines; if through the aegis of the EU and UN, it has been found possible to put in place a pre-arranged and co-ordinated sequence of measures to deal with such events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49531/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which international aid has been made available to the disaster struck areas in the Philippines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49532/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he in conjunction with his EU and UN colleagues has succeeded in focusing attention on the situation in the Philippines in the aftermath of the recent disaster with a view to ensuring that the maximum potential for aid distribution is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49533/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 136 to 138, inclusive, together.
Current estimates indicate that Typhoon Haiyan has affected 13 million people across 41 provinces (representing over 10% of the country’s population), with up to 4 million people displaced. Official estimates indicate that at least 3,600 lives have been lost. However, it is likely that the full picture of the human cost of this disaster will only emerge in the coming days as relief teams get to remote areas, which are without power and communication following one of the most powerful storms ever recorded.
For our part, Ireland was one of the first countries to respond to this disaster and, on the basis of pledges announced to date, our contribution currently stands as one of the highest amounts provided by a bilateral donor. On Sunday, 10 November, the Government announced emergency funding from Ireland of €1 million towards the relief effort for Typhoon Haiyan. One week later, as the magnitude of this disaster became apparent, this sum was increased to €2.25 million. A separate dispatch of over 100 tonnes of essential shelter items for distribution to families worst affected by the disaster, to the value of €510,000, was also authorised and arrived in Cebu on Wednesday, 13 November. Irish Aid is preparing for a further airlift of essential shelter items in the coming days.
My officials are in daily contact with UNOCHA, UNICEF and WFP on requirements for deployment of technical experts from the Irish Rapid Response Corps. An Irish Captain and engineer in the Defence Forces was deployed on 17th November to support WFP’s operations in the Philippines and an Information Management Specialist was deployed on the same day to support UNICEF’s operations. We expect further deployments in the coming days. In addition, we have authorised the release of €425,000 in funding which had been pre-positioned with trusted NGO partners for sudden-onset emergencies such as this. This brings the total sum of Ireland’s contributions to date to over €3 million.
My officials are also in regular contact with the European Commission’s Directorate for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO) and, in particular, the EU Emergency Response Centre. The EU has made available €10 million in emergency funding to support the immediate relief efforts in the areas worst affected by the Typhoon and has pledged a further US$40 million in longer-term development assistance to assist with the Philippines' efforts to recover from this devastating disaster.
Despite the many logistical challenges to the relief effort, the response of the international community has been rapid, with a large UN Disaster Coordination (UNDAC) team and a team of experts from ECHO being deployed to assist the national authorities to assess the impact of the disaster as early as Friday, 8 November.
On the basis of these co-ordinated assessments, a UN Flash Appeal was jointly launched by the UN and the Government of the Philippines on Tuesday, 12 November. This appeal calls for funding of just over US $300 million to cover immediate emergency relief, and continued support to the affected populations over the coming six months. To date, US$ 78 million, 26 % of the funds requested under this appeal, has been received. Ireland will examine the potential for further contributions, within our means, to the relief programmes identified within this appeal.
The international community has learned many lessons from previous crises, such as the 2004 Tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Under the leadership of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), reform of the humanitarian system has led to clear plans being put in place to strengthen preparedness and ensure the most effective, efficient and rapid delivery of aid possible. Ireland has supported these reform efforts and will continue to ensure that our response is timely, effective and meets the most critical, immediate needs of affected populations.
95. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any discussions at multilateral or bilateral levels in relation to the imprisonment of Huber Balesteros and the recent murder of Caesar Garcia in Colombia; the actions he has taken to address the staggering levels of political violence in Colombia, directed in particular against trade unionists; the way in which he can recommend that these Houses ratify an EU trade agreement which has been shown to lack the mechanisms required to enforce its human rights clauses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48868/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra101. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the recent negative developments in Colombia, with increased attacks on civil society organisers; and if he shares the widespread concern that they will impact negatively on the peace talks being held in Havana, Cuba. [48959/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra111. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will contact the Colombian authorities as a matter of urgency and demand an independent and rigorous investigation into the assassination of Cesar Garcia, a farmer and environmental activist opposed to the La Colosa gold mining project and demand that the safety and security of community activists who oppose this project are guaranteed. [48802/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 101 and 111 together.
I am aware of the arrest of Huber Ballesteros in August and of the recent killing of Cesar Garcia. I have asked my officials to follow closely developments in the judicial proceedings involving Mr Ballesteros, as well as the investigation into the killing of Mr Garcia.
When I met earlier this year with President Santos of Colombia, I raised human rights in Colombia, including my concerns regarding the situation of trade unionists. Ireland’s views were also raised at the Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Colombia last April.
Ireland, and the European Union, is following closely the situation of a number of trade union officials, including Mr Ballesteros. Respect for human rights, including the freedom of expression and of assembly, remain at the centre of the EU-Colombia dialogue. It is important that people in Colombia who engage peacefully in the political and social developments of their society can do so without fear of risks to their personal liberty or security. It is also important that all parties operate within the rule of law. In the interests of fostering conditions which support peace and sustainable development, I urge all involved to address issues of insecurity and to investigate fully serious incidents such as the killing of Mr Garcia.
President Santos and I also discussed the Colombian peace process. I welcome progress reached earlier this month on the issue of political participation. I wish the parties success in their discussions on the other important items on their agenda so that a final comprehensive peace agreement can be secured and an end brought to the long conflict in Colombia.
My colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, noted in a reply to a Parliamentary Question on 5th November last that the trade agreement between the European Union and its Member States and Colombia and Peru was signed in June 2012 and has been provisionally applied with Colombia since 1st August 2013. Free trade agreements such as these are important in helping our ambitious and innovative exporters to build new markets. The trade agreement with Colombia and Peru can also contribute in a significant way to economic developments in those countries. Leveraging the most from this potential can best be done by supporting economic growth that is made sustainable through good governance in the form of respect for labour as well as environmental standards, and the full promotion and protection of human rights. The inclusion of significant clauses covering human rights, the environment, labour principles and rights, and sustainable development in the trade agreement with Colombia and Peru provide an important framework within which we can seek the best possible outcome from the interaction between trade, social and environmental standards.
Guided by our commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, Ireland will continue to work closely with our EU partners to support peace in Colombia and to promote the progressive improvement of human rights standards.
97. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he accepts the destabilising effect of the use of armed drones; and if Ireland will take an international position on campaigning to end the use of armed drones. [48970/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has consistently taken the view that combating terrorism must be conducted in full respect of international law, in particular the law of armed conflict and human rights law. In line with the UN Global Strategy on Counter Terrorism, effective counter terrorism and the protection and promotion of human rights are mutually reinforcing and not competing goals. This means that human rights law must apply, including the prohibition on extrajudicial killings, outside of an armed conflict situation where international humanitarian law is applicable.
Ireland welcomes the recent reports of UN Special Rapporteurs, Professor Christof Heyns and Ben Emerson, which looked at the use of armed drones from the perspective of the use of lethal force and their impact on civilians. Ireland accepts the findings of these reports which include the view that the established international legal framework for the use of force – international human rights law, international humanitarian law and inter-State force – constitutes an adequate framework for regulating the use of drones.
Any indiscriminate use of armed drones would clearly be contrary to international law. Every effort must be made to avoid civilian casualties and I am deeply concerned by instances where civilians have been killed by attacks using armed drones. However, an international agreement to prohibit the use of armed drones is unlikely. The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross has recently stated that under international humanitarian law, "drones are not expressly prohibited, nor are they considered to be inherently indiscriminate or perfidious. In this respect, they are no different from weapons launched from manned aircraft such as helicopters or other combat aircraft."
98. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has sought assurances from the Government of the United Kingdom and the US Administration that no surveillance has been conducted in this State by those authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48976/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing allegations of US surveillance of European Union institutions earlier this year, the EU has engaged regularly with the US authorities in both Washington and Brussels to seek clarification on the issues raised. An EU-US High Level Expert Group on data protection has been established, where this and related matters are discussed. The EU is represented on this working group by the European Commission, the Presidency of the Council and the European External Action Service (EEAS), and the work of the group is ongoing. A number of meetings have already taken place in Brussels and in Washington, most recently on 6 November in Brussels. Following this work, the Commission and the Presidency are expected to issue a public, factual report which will be followed by an assessment and recommendations before the end of the year.
As regards the allegations of spying on EU delegations, High Representative Catherine Ashton raised EU concerns directly with US Secretary of State John Kerry and National Security Advisor Susan Rice on several occasions. I understand that more contacts at various levels have been established since to further discuss the allegations and obtain clarifications on the surveillance activities undertaken by the US with regard to EU delegations.
At their European Council meeting of 24/25 October last, EU Heads of State and Government issued a statement on the more recent developments concerning possible intelligence issues and the deep concerns that these events have raised among European citizens. They underlined the close relationship between Europe and the United States and the value of that partnership. They expressed their conviction that the partnership must be based on respect and trust, including as regards the work and cooperation of secret services.
For our part, and as I have outlined in a reply to a previous parliamentary question, the Government’s concerns have been conveyed bilaterally in contacts with the US Embassy in Dublin. While the House will appreciate that it is not the practice to comment in detail on surveillance and security issues and that the Minister for Justice and Equality has primary responsibility in this area, we do not have any information that would indicate that surveillance took place here in Ireland. It has been made clear to the US Embassy however that any such surveillance here would be unacceptable to us.
There are no allegations as regards surveillance by the UK authorities.
99. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his most recent efforts to promote political support in the US House of Representatives for the Immigration Reform Bill 2013. [48806/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra118. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his efforts to promote support in the US House of Representatives for the Immigration Reform Bill; and his priorities for the upcoming 12 months in respect of engagement with the United States regarding American immigration reform, US-EU trade and US-Irish trade. [44106/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra132. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he held regarding legislative reforms to assist the undocumented Irish; the current status of plans for an E3 visa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49407/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra133. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made to date on the introduction of an E3 visa in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49408/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress towards addressing the issue of the undocumented Irish in the United States with particular reference to the progress of the relevant immigration legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49546/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 99, 118, 132, 133 and 151 together.
This is an issue to which I accord very high priority, being conscious of the acute difficulties experienced by Irish undocumented in the United States, many of whom I have met on my visits there.
I have maintained contact, both directly and through our Embassy in Washington, with many key players in Congress including Republican Congressman Paul Ryan, Chair of the House Budgetary Committee and former Vice-Presidential nominee; Republican Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee; leading Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee, Congressmen Mark Amodei, Spencer Bachus and Doug Collins; Minority House Leader Nancy Pelosi; Chair of the Congressional Friends of Ireland, Pete King; and the offices of House Speaker John Boehner and of House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy. I have also maintained contact with key figures in the US Administration and with Irish-American community representatives.
I have reiterated throughout all these contacts the Government’s interest in all aspects of immigration reform and in particular our interest in seeing an overall agreement reached which provides relief for currently undocumented Irish migrants and a facility for future flows of legal migration between Ireland and the US.
In this context, we very much welcomed the US Senate’s approval of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Bill by a 68-32 margin on 27 June last.
The comprehensive draft legislation, which was drafted over several months by a bipartisan group of eight US Senators, provides for extensive reform of the US immigration system. It includes provisions that would legalise the status of undocumented Irish people and provide a path to permanent residency. It also provides for future flows of legal migration between Ireland and the US via the proposed E-3 visa. The focus has since shifted to the House of Representatives for its consideration of the issues and a key factor here remains convincing the Republican House Majority of the importance of making progress. It remains to be seen whether a consolidated Bill can be agreed between the Senate and the House of Representatives. It is generally accepted that securing overall agreement will remain a complex and challenging process, particularly at a time when Congress has been preoccupied by budgetary and debt issues. This was clear from my most recent contacts and I believe the challenge to secure agreement has become even greater in recent times. I am determined to continue to deploy all necessary resources at political, diplomatic and Irish community level to make progress on this vital issue. In support of this ongoing effort, a delegation of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade visited Washington DC last month for a programme arranged by our Embassy during which they met with key members of Congress and with Irish-American community representatives.
The Embassy in Washington continues our intensive follow-up work with all of our contacts on Capitol Hill and particularly with the Republican House leadership. It also continues to co-ordinate our lobbying efforts with our Irish-American community representatives. I wish to acknowledge the critically important role being played by these community organisations, including the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform and the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform.
100. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on his discussions with Secretary of State Villiers and Minister Ford on prisoner rights in Northern Ireland jails; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48870/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Justice David Ford MLA and I have regular discussions about the situation in Northern Ireland. Since the 2010 agreement at Hillsborough, Minister Ford has responsibility for policing and criminal justice policy in Northern Ireland. In the post Hillsborough period, co-operation on Justice issues has gone from strength to strength and co-operation between the PSNI and an Garda Síochána is outstanding. The Government’s focus is to ensure that policing and justice systems which are in place in Northern Ireland are robust and consistent with the principles and values of the Good Friday Agreement and the other agreements for which we are co-guarantors.
Prisons policy, including the issue of prisoner rights, forms a central part of Minster’s Ford’s remit. An executive agency, namely the Northern Ireland Prison Service, implements prison policy and a Prisoner Ombudsman operates completely independently of the Northern Ireland Prison Service with full authority to investigate complaints from prisoners and visitors to prisoners in Northern Ireland as well as deaths in custody.
I agree with Minister Ford’s recent analysis that delivery of a reformed justice system, including the prison service, has a major part to play in building and protecting a more positive future for Northern Ireland. We believe that the full implementation of the 40 key recommendations made in a major report into prison reform by Dame Anne Owers is the best way to ensure that the rights of all prisoners are protected and that prison conditions are of an acceptable standard.
As the Deputy will be aware, I continue to raise with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, a small number of prisoner cases which have arisen from the exercise of certain non-devolved security powers. My officials in the British Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat keep me updated on developments related to such cases on an ongoing basis. In this context, I fully appreciate the ongoing contact between the Deputy and other members of the Oireachtas, who have a genuine interest in prison reform in Northern Ireland, with the relevant officials in my Department.
