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

All Deputies will agree that there is no room or place for any form of threats or intimidation, implied or otherwise. It is important to make that absolutely clear in the context of a functioning democracy.

In the course of my meeting with the Minister, Mr. Ford, MLA, he updated me on progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the recent report by the criminal justice inspector, Brendan McGuigan, into conditions in the prison. I expressed my concerns about the deficiencies identified within the prison, which affect the entire prison population and prison staff and not just those in the separated regime. It is a matter of concern that the inspectors found that the demands of the separated unit are undermining the work of the entire prison, to the detriment of the majority of the prison population. One of my officials met yesterday with the criminal justice inspector to discuss the findings of the report and they have agreed to remain in contact. The criminal justice inspector will return to Maghaberry in January to monitor progress. I hope he will be able to report that significant progress has been made in terms of improving outcomes for all prisoners at Maghaberry.

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