Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We, too, welcome the involvement of the Red Cross, but the terms of reference will be crucial. The question of whether the Red Cross individual will have the power to be a decision-maker is paramount.

We have also met the Minister of Justice, Mr. Ford. Forgive us for feeling he is either unable or unwilling to implement his decisions on the ground. We have serious worries that there are people with a vested interest in trouble. We find it hard to get our heads around the fact that the recommendations made in the Stocktake report have not even been implemented properly. Those concerned have reneged on the controlled movement recommendation made in the report. There was supposed to be four and four, allowed to mix. There was three and three, allowed to mix. They went to four and four, but there was only a maximum of four allowed out at a time. It is actually a regression.

We fear there that are people within the security forces in Northern Ireland who, perhaps because of the loss of overtime or jobs, seem to have a vested interest in trouble. They almost like to see trouble coming from the community in reaction to how the prisoners have been treated within the prison. What is happening is irrational. We are not remotely interested in any republican sympathies but actually believe what is occurring is troublesome and problematic. The Irish Government should play a stronger role in addressing the irrationality on the part of the management of Maghaberry Prison and the Northern Ireland Office.

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