Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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124. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on his Department's contacts with the independent chairperson of the review regarding the situation in Maghaberry Prison, and the working out of the issues in the prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36847/15]

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.

I have written to Minister Ford and we have recently discussed the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Stocktake report. In those contacts and those of my Department with the Northern Ireland Department of Justice and the Northern Ireland Office, our strong emphasis is on the importance of building trust between separated prisoners and prison management in Maghaberry Prison.

Engagement with the Independent Chair of the Maghaberry Prison Forum is an important means of building such trust 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. I understand that the Northern Ireland Prison Service is prepared to engage fully and openly once the format has been agreed and the meetings are re-established, and that progress is being made. 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.