Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It would appear that the sectarian backdrop to the Northern Ireland Assembly is being used as a cover-up for practices that would not be tolerated in a properly functioning state. The British and Irish Governments seem to be happy to ignore certain behaviour as long as both sides of the sectarian divide are talking to each other and sitting at the same table.

The Irish Government does not want to know what went on behind the scenes during the sale and purchase of Project Eagle and, God knows, neither does the Northern Assembly. I found it interesting that the Taoiseach was so eager to heap praise on the outgoing First Minister, Peter Robinson.

There are interesting times ahead and his words might be quoted back to him. With regard to whether we will ever get the truth about Project Eagle, we know the National Crime Agency is looking at it. I fear those who serve and protect the State may find the truth too unpalatable and I am not so sure we will get to it with regard to Project Eagle and what went on.

With regard to prisons, we were in Maghaberry again last Monday and we were a bit shocked at what we heard there with regard to the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, for which there had been great hope. The prisoners have accepted the ICRC's proposals but it appears as if the authorities have not. There is a serious lack of political will for the introduction of a progressive prison system in Maghaberry and the Government here should show more interest in it. It is very problematic. There is talk about a new regime being introduced, which is damaging to the ongoing process and very worrying for the future. We all know that sometimes things can happen in prisons which have an impact on society outside, and we should show a stronger interest in what is happening. Of all the institutions in Northern Ireland none has changed as little as Maghaberry since the Good Friday Agreement and none needs to change so much.

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