Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade answered the Deputy's question in November confirming that justice and policing powers had been devolved to the Northern Ireland institutions following the Hillsborough Castle Agreement in 2010. Mr. David Ford, MLA, has since been Northern Ireland Minister for Justice, while an executive agency of his Department, the Northern Ireland Prison Service, is responsible for implementing prison policy there, as the Deputy is aware. A comprehensive review was chaired by Ms Anne Owers, from which flowed the Hillsborough Castle Agreement which was published in October 2011. The review set out a path for the prison system in the North. Implementation of the 40 recommendations made in the agreement is due for completion next year. Progress is being overseen by an independent group which reports on progress every six months. Ms Owers recognised that Maghaberry Prison was unable, as the Deputy said, to meet the challenge of providing appropriate security and for sufficient and relevant activities for its long-term and short-term prisoners, including those in prison for paramilitary offences.

In the summer of 2010 republican prisoners in Maghaberry Prison’s Roe wing protested about conditions. An agreement between prisoners and prison management, known as the Roe House agreement, was concluded in August that year and four independent assessors were appointed to assist in its oversight and delivery. On the recommendation of the Prisoner Ombudsman, Mr. Tom McGonigle, the independent assessors carried out a stock take of the implementation of the Roe House agreement in August and September. The Northern Ireland Minister for Justice published the results of the stock take on 12 November, highlighting the areas in which progress had been made since 2010 and issues of concern to prisoners and management. The report was based on free access to Maghaberry Prison and its prisoners, as well as contact with the prison authorities, the Prisoner Ombudsman and prison officer representatives. Any documentation requested was made available.

The independent assessors highlighted the murder of a prison officer, Mr. David Black, in November 2012 by so-called dissident republicans as a significant challenge and a breach of the principles underpinning the agreement. Ongoing threats against members of the Northern Ireland Prison Service and officials dealing with prison welfare have further complicated relations and damaged trust between the prison service and prisoners. All threats against those working in prisons and with prisoners in Northern Ireland are unacceptable. The recent stock take was accepted by the prison service and the relevant prisoners and opens an opportunity to resolve outstanding matters in order that the unimplemented elements of the Roe House agreement may be put in place. The independent assessors recommend a time limit of six months for the resolution of the outstanding issues involved. I will follow through with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and advise the Deputy of the outcome. I thank her for the question.

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