Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Will the Leader consider arranging an early debate on Northern Ireland? Such a debate would be both timely and helpful. All decent people on the island welcome the progress made and changes for the better which have emanated from the Good Friday Agreement. I would go so far as to say that, from a global point of view, the agreement is probably unique in the context of conflict resolution. At same time, however, it requires constant attention and nurturing. We need to identify areas in which difficulties might arise in the future. The prisoner issue is one which requires attention.

I was a member of an all-party delegation which visited some of the prisoners in question last week. Any fair-minded person who hears what some of the prisoners told us during our visit would immediately be able to identify the fact that a number of human rights issues arise and that there is a lack of due process. One of the high profile prisoners we visited - she is being held at a psychiatric hospital - is Ms Marion Price. She is extremely frail and confined to bed and it is quite evident that she does not pose a threat to anyone. There is an underlying and important issue at stake, as Ms Price received a royal pardon. That fact is not denied, but the British Administration has indicated that the pardon has been lost, which is very difficult to understand. If there had been a pardon, Ms Price could not have been arrested in the manner in which she was because she is not a political activist in any sense of the word. For this reason, we must ensure action is taken in respect of her.

Her case is coming up for review in a couple of weeks time, but the review process is very flawed. She cannot have her own legal representative, but must use the legal representative supplied to her. She will not be made aware in advance of the evidence that will be presented against her. The hearing is private and held in secret. I think anybody would agree that has an echo with other parts of the world down through the decades. It is not typical of a civilised society. My hope is that Marian Price will be released. If she is not released - given her background there is a very serious danger that she may make a decision to go down a road of protest, which we do not want to have again and would not be helpful.

I hope we might have a debate in the manner in which I have outlined. I accept we have progress and our commitment to the British-Irish Agreement and the peace process.