Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 81: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the protests by prisoners in Maghaberry Jail, County Antrim and the effect it would have on the ongoing peace process if the situation further deteriorates due to the lack of action and the need for him to intervene with the authorities to ensure that their grievances are resolved and prisoners are held in decent, safe and humane conditions. [33317/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The issue of prisons within Northern Ireland is a devolved matter to the Northern Ireland Executive and, specifically, to the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Prison Service. Arising from the Hillsborough Agreement of February 2010, Dame Ann Owers and the Prison Review Team undertook a review of the prison system. In October 2011 their report made forty recommendations on prison reform in Northern Ireland. Minister for Justice Ford has underlined his commitment to full implementation of the recommendations and has described the prison reform process as "unstoppable". I had an opportunity to discuss the reform process with him at our most recent meeting on 20th April. Implementation of the Owers Report remains the most effective way to ensure that prison conditions in Northern Ireland meet the required standard.

Where allegations arise in relation to conditions in Maghaberry Prison, or any other prisons in Northern Ireland, which affect an Irish citizen, the Government continues to raise the matter with the relevant authorities. The Government is of the view that the full implementation of all of the recommendations of the Owers Report remains the most effective way to ensure that conditions within all prisons in Northern Ireland are of an acceptable standard.