Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left) | Oireachtas source

We have met loyalist and republican prisoners who are involved in this process. Both sides are unhappy, but the republican side is more unhappy. That probably reflects the cultural problems there. That is important. The issue of threats continues to be used. Obviously, we would oppose any threats occurring, but there is no evidence of any threats and no activity of a negative character has taken place in the segregated wing against any staff. On the other hand, we see the hand of the security forces and MI5, in particular, operating in the prison. It is a fact that there is a close link between the DUP and the POA. Some of the problems that had to be addressed in the PSNI, and I am not saying that they are resolved, relating to the cultural background of staff still exist in the Northern Ireland Prison Service. It must be broken up, as it were, and there must be an overhaul of prison staff if there is to be equity and a regime that is respectful of human rights.

I am glad the Minister is raising this issue, but we are only hearing one side of the story. Throwing out the idea that there was going to be a new regime onto the back of this stalled process rang alarm bells. That type of operation would not be acceptable to anybody and would aggravate the situation even further.

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