Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

I do not really accept the Tánaiste's response. He is aware that a cross-party delegation of Deputies and Senators visited Mr. Martin Corey and others in Maghaberry Prison prior to Christmas. What we encountered there was a man in a very difficult situation, without him or his legal team being privy to the reasons for his incarceration. This is an incredibly difficult position for anybody to be in and clearly a breach of human rights, as laid down by the European convention which provides that people have a right to liberty, subject to lawful arrest and detention.

People also have the right to be informed of the charges against them. In this case, clearly, that right is not being upheld. Martin Corey's arrest was deemed to be unlawful, but that decision was over-ruled by the Secretary of State. I ask the Tánaiste to use his new offices on the UN Human Rights Council to bring this issue to the fore of the discussions that are taking place. To be honest, if he does not use his position on the council to advance human rights issues that affect our citizens, what is the point of it?

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