Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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199. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has consulted with his counterparts in Northern Ireland regarding the ongoing and very serious issues in Maghaberry Prison, including the frequent use of the discipline alarm, in spite of a prison ombudsman recommendation that the alarm not be used except in extreme circumstances; allegations that cell bells have been silenced from a central control location, resulting in prisoners not being able to alert staff if they are in distress while in their cells; allegations that closed circuit television footage has been destroyed by senior staff; and the refusal of prison governors to accept complaints in typewritten format. [33675/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Prison issues in Northern Ireland, in particular those affecting prisoners in separated accommodation, regularly feature in my discussions with Northern Ireland Minister of Justice, David Ford, MLA, and, on non-devolved matters, with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, MP.

In those contacts and those of my officials with officials from the Northern Ireland Department of Justice, our strong emphasis is on the importance of building trust between separated prisoners and prison management in Maghaberry Prison. This includes progress on the issues highlighted by the Deputy, which my officials have raised with the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

I welcome the appointment of a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross as the agreed independent chair of the Maghaberry prison forum. He has been working with both the prisoners and the staff side to agree an agenda. The development of the prison forum has the potential to address many of the issues which have caused friction between staff and prisoners.

Officials have been in touch with the chair since he commenced his work and will continue to do so.

I will be meeting Minister Ford as the Stormont talks continue and will reiterate my concerns regarding Maghaberry.