Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A week ago, a republican prisoner was taken out of Maghaberry Prison for an urgent medical appointment. On the way out, a full body scan was carried out and was clear. The prisoner was handcuffed to a prison officer and taken to the hospital, where he was examined by medics. During the examination, afterwards and at all times, the prisoner was handcuffed to a prison officer. When he returned to the prison, another scan was carried out and the allegation was made that there was something in his stomach, and he has been in isolation since. This is a source of serious aggravation in the prison. Similar situations have arisen previously and were discussed at the justice committee in Stormont with the Independent Monitoring Board for Northern Ireland, so this is known to be a recurring issue in the prison. Will the Taoiseach raise this issue with the Minister of Justice in Northern Ireland to see whether we can resolve it, which I understand is a matter of interpretation, according to the report, and not a black-and-white issue?

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