Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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113. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has made any representations to the Northern Ireland authorities regarding the length of remand that segregated prisoners are held under in Northern Ireland; if he will confirm if he has received a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36844/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Prison issues in Northern Ireland, in particular those affecting prisoners in separated accommodation, regularly arise 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, both of whom I meet on a regular basis in the context of the ongoing political Talks at Stormont.

In those contacts, I have reiterated my concerns regarding Maghaberry, including in relation to time spent on remand. I understand that the Northern Ireland Department of Justice is currently examining the system of remand in the context of identifying efficiencies within the criminal justice system.

Engagement with the Independent Chair of the Maghaberry Prison Forum is an important means of building trust between separated prisoners and prison management and has the potential to address many of the issues which have caused friction between staff and prisoners, including those issues outstanding from the work of the Independent Assessment Team. I am aware that the Deputy and other Oireachtas members have met with the Independent Chair and have had the opportunity to discuss those concerns with him directly.

My officials are in regular contact with the Chair, who has been working with both the prisoners and the staff side to agree an agenda.While the current intensity of the political talks in Northern Ireland have precluded me from meeting the Chair, I hope to have an early opportunity to do so and look forward to receiving his assessment at first hand.

I understand that the Northern Ireland Prison Service is prepared to engage fully and openly once the format for the Prison Forum has been agreed and the meetings are re-established. I do not underestimate the challenges involved and further progress in this format will require the engagement of all parties in a spirit of openness and goodwill