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

Prison issues in Northern Ireland, in particular those affecting prisoners in separated accommodation, regularly feature in my discussions with Northern Ireland Minister of Justice, David Ford, MLA, and, on non-devolved matters, with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, MP. In my contacts, I emphasise the importance of building trust between separated prisoners and prison management in Maghaberry Prison. Trust has been damaged by the 2012 murder of prison officer David Black. The way forward will be through the implementation of the recommendations of the September 2014 Stocktake report of the independent assessment team, which reviewed progress in implementing the August 2010 agreement at Maghaberry Prison.

The Northern Ireland Prison Service and prisoners are agreed on the importance of implementing the Stocktake report. The appointment of a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross as the new independent chair of the prison forum should assist progress in this regard. To date progress has not moved as quickly as anyone would wish. It is my understanding that representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross have been actively consulting with all parties to the prison forum over recent weeks, including republican and loyalist prisoners as well as management in the prison to agree working methods.

Strip-searching, controlled movement and detention in the care and supervision unit of Maghaberry Prison continue as points of difference and tension between prisoners and prison management. It is important to bear in mind that a balance is required to be found between vindicating the rights of prisoners in restrictive imprisonment with the duty on management to ensure that an environment is created where the health and safety of staff and inmates are protected. There are differences in emphasis between management and prisoners in where the balance lies. This is further complicated by the differing responsibilities of the Northern Ireland Department of Justice and the Northern Ireland Office in respect of these matters. To effectively address these issues it is important that progress is shown.

My officials actively follow up with appropriate departments, the Northern Ireland Prison Service, the Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and prisoners on these and other matters. I am aware that the independent chair of the prison forum is seized of the importance of these issues. I was pleased last week to have an opportunity to meet a group of interested Deputies on this issue. I would be happy to keep Deputy Wallace informed of developments in this area.

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