Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will give an update on the circumstances of Marian Price's imprisonment in particular on her isolation and medical condition. [44989/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The individual referred to has been detained since 13 May 2011, following the revocation of her life licence by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. In the 17 months she has been in custody, she has been held both in the secure all male prison in Maghaberry and more recently in Hydebank Prison, which is a mixed prison. The person concerned is currently receiving treatment in a hospital facility under the care of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. In the context of the successful devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Executive, the responsibility for the provision of prisoner health care in Northern Ireland lies with the Department of Health, Social Service and Public Safety. This Department, through the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, is required to provide health care arrangements comparable to those available in the community.

In line with long-standing practice in this House, it is not appropriate for me to comment in detail on any person’s medical records or medical condition but, equally, I am keenly aware that genuine concerns have been raised about several aspects of this case in the House on many occasions and I have raised them very frankly with the British Government.

As the record of the House will show, I raised this case with former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Owen Paterson, on several occasions and, more recently, I raised the matter with the new Secretary of State of Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers. The Taoiseach also took the opportunity to raise the matter with Secretary of State Villiers when he met her on 2 October. I will continue to raise this case with the British Government and to convey my concerns, which are shared by all sides of this House, to them and to the relevant Northern Ireland authorities.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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This is not an appropriate answer. That is not meant personally against the Minister but we are dealing with a situation where the treatment of Marian Price has been deemed to be tantamount to torture by the UN and the fact that this treatment is being meted to a woman on the island of Ireland means we need to do more. She is an incredibly ill individual and the Minister has outlined her conditions in solitary confinement. Her medical treatment is not the best and does not adhere to various standards. She has been the subject of scrutiny with a constant security watch while in hospital undergoing medical treatment and her health is vulnerable. Given she has been interned for 17 months, the Government needs to do more. This is a serious abuse of human rights and while the Minister has raised it with his counterpart, I would like to hear more about this. A number of Deputies will take a trip to visit Marian Price the week after next. Will the Minister agree to join us on that trip? As a House, we have to raise this issue more frequently.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I do not propose to talk about her medical condition or her medical records because it is not appropriate to do so in a public forum. As I said, I am concerned about this case and I raised it repeatedly with the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. When I met the new Secretary of State, I took the first opportunity I had to discuss this case with her. I am due to meet her again in the near future. I have also discussed this with the Northern Ireland justice Minister. I am concerned about the case. I am aware a parliamentary group intends to visit her and I would be happy to hear a report from the group when it returns.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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It is entirely appropriate to raise the medical issues because UN doctors and others have said this women is even too ill to attend the court hearing, yet Owen Paterson revoked her licence under a clause that provides this facility where it is necessary for the protection of the public. This is an extremely ill woman who represents no danger to the public whatsoever and the longer she is incarcerated in solitary confinement and denied the support she needs, the worse her condition will get. I am fearful that the next time we discuss this issue in the House, it may be too late. I urge the Minister to intervene.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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As the Deputy said, the former Secretary of State revoked the licence in this case. I understand legal submissions were made recently in connection with that and a process is under way. Separately, a charge is before the courts, although that does not appear to be the principal reason she continues to be detained. That has more to do with the revocation of the licence.

I have discussed a number of aspects of this with both the previous and current Secretary of State, including the revocation of the licence, the conditions, the woman's health and other issues raised by the Deputy. I assure her and the House that I am giving serious attention to this case and I will continue to raise it with the British authorities and particularly with the Secretary of State.