Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I too welcome the Tánaiste's response. He showed a clear understanding of the problems, the challenges and the injustice. The notion that allegations of wrongdoing could not even be raised against someone and they had to spend over two years in prison is soul destroying. This is a human rights issue. As the Tánaiste is aware, we go to Maghaberry Prison regularly and it is a scene from hell. In a report published last year it was deemed one of the worst prisons in Europe. Just as some members of the republican side did not accept the Good Friday Agreement, unfortunately, some people on the other side did not accept it either. While there has been huge reform in certain areas in Northern Ireland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI, is a serious improvement on the RUC, other areas in the prison service in Northern Ireland leave much to be desired. It would be welcome if the Tánaiste could challenge them on their irrational behaviour.

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