Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The recent stock take report was accepted by the Northern Ireland Prison Service and by the relevant prisoners and opens an opportunity to resolve outstanding matters in order that the unimplemented elements of the Roe House agreement can be achieved. The independent assessors recommend a timeline of six months for the resolution of outstanding issues. I would encourage all concerned to make the most of this opportunity. I have discussed these issues with the Minister for Justice, David Ford, MLA, and will continue to do so as appropriate. I also intend to meet over the coming weeks the independent assessors who concluded the stock take report. My officials continue to meet the range of agencies responsible for prisoner issues in Northern Ireland, including the Department of Justice, the Northern Ireland Prison Service, the Prison Ombudsman, and officials from the Northern Ireland Office on non-devolved aspects. I assure the Deputy that I will continue to keep a close eye on issues. I remind the House that these are people who have been convicted of the most grave and serious criminal offences on the Statute Book. Lengthy terms of imprisonment have been handed down to some of them for most unacceptable dissident republican crimes.

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