Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)

I thank the Minister of State for the reply, but it is disappointing. I am sure the Minister of State is also disappointed because I know of his role in prisoners' issues in Dublin Central and with my predecessor, the late Tony Gregory.

The Pat Finucane Centre, which is a non-party political and anti-sectarian human rights group committed to the non-violent resolution of conflict situations has taken these issues up and has been in touch with the Tánaiste. I wonder if he has responded to the centre.

Terms like "aware of", "raised issues" and "continue to monitor" sound very nice but there is no action behind them. Meanwhile the situation in Maghaberry has been ongoing for almost a year. Reforms are never worth the paper they are written on unless they are implemented. From the Minister of State's answer it sounds as though these issues are being kicked to touch. There has been reform and a report and everything is going to be fine, but in the meantime there are serious health and human rights issues for the prisoners.

We did not mention another prisoner, Gerry McGeough, and I know there are others besides the three we mentioned.

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