Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 3 November 2016

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement

Maghaberry Prison: Discussion

2:00 pm

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

If we have learned anything about this, it is we will not get a quick win. If we do it will be fantastic, but it has not happened to date. Therefore, we need a process so if nothing happens we keep coming back. If I was asked what is the most likely issue to destabilise the situation North and South it is prisons. We know a totally different approach is taken in the two jurisdictions on the island. We must ask ourselves which adds more to peace and stability than the other. We have a yardstick by which to measure. It has not posed any risk to people down here. In fact, many of us would argue from having met and being in the situation, it reduces the risk dramatically for those outside prison, particularly prison officers. Deputy O'Sullivan's proposal is correct, that we reflect and have a coherent approach that is stepped so we do not have a big burst and think we will solve it, because that is not my experience.