Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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37. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when his last meeting took place with Minister Ford of the Northern Executive and with Secretary of State Villiers, respectively; when it is hoped to have his next meeting with each person named; if he raised the issue of prison conditions for separated prisoners in HMP Maghaberry with each at his last meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45034/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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This is a repeat of my reply to Question No. 19.

I met last Friday with the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice, David Ford MLA. Among the issues we discussed was the situation in Maghaberry prison, including the regime for separated prisoners.

My last meeting with Secretary of State Theresa Villiers was on 17 November, as we concluded the negotiation of the 'Fresh Start' Agreement. We will meet again before the end of the month, when I will again raise the situation in Maghaberry with her.

At our recent meeting, Minister Ford updated me on progress in implementing the recommendations of the recent report by Criminal Justice Inspector, Brendan McGuigan, into conditions in the prison. The Criminal Justice Inspector will return to Maghaberry in January to monitor progress. I expressed my concerns at the deficiencies identified in the prison, which affect the entire prison population and, also, prison staff, and not just those in the separated regime.

Minister Ford and I also discussed follow-up on the recommendations of the Independent Assessment Team report on the conditions in the prison's separated wing. Minister Ford noted that while there had been some progress, full implementation had been affected by trust issues arising, in part, from the sense of threat to staff. The Northern Ireland Prison Service has said that it remains committed to implementing the recommendations of the stocktake report but only in “an environment where staff are free from threat and intimidation”.

Among the challenges we discussed were the obstacles to the operation of the Prison Forum, which since July 2015 has been chaired by a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross. A functioning forum would make an important contribution to reducing tensions in Maghaberry.

My officials maintain regular contact with the Chair of the Prison Forum and also with the members of the Independent Assessment Team. Regrettably, due to the intensity of the political talks in Belfast, I had to postpone a meeting with the Chair scheduled for 29 October, who instead briefed my officials.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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38. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the implementation of the stock-take report and the work of the independent chairperson of the Maghaberry prison forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45385/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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In November 2014, the 'stocktake' report of the Independent Assessment Team, which reviewed progress in implementing the Roe House Agreement of 2010, was published. Its recommendations were accepted by the Northern Ireland Department of Justice. Two recommendations concerned areas under the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Office.

Progress in implementing the recommendations has been slow.

A key recommendation was the restoration of the prison forum, where prisoners meet with prison management. The first person proposed to chair the forum was not acceptable to republican prisoners. Following a process, a Representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross agreed in July 2015 to act as independent chair.

The ICRC's proposals for an agenda for the prison forum were developed over a number of months and were presented in November. The proposed agenda was not accepted.

Republican prisoners have blamed the prison authorities, saying that the authorities had refused to accept “minimalist” proposals put forward by the independent chair.

The Northern Ireland Prison Service has said that it remains committed to implementing the recommendations of the stocktake report but only in “an environment where staff are free from threat and intimidation.”

The issue of threats to prison staff was raised with me when I discussed the situation in Maghaberry, including the state of play regarding the prison forum and other issues arising from the stocktake report, with Minister Ford on 11 December.

Members of the Independent Assessment Team remain engaged in the prison. My officials are in regular contact with members of the Independent Assessment Team and with the chair of the prison forum.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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39. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of discussions with relevant authorities in relation to ongoing prisoner issues in Maghaberry Prison; if he is confident that all is being done to ensure a conflict-free environment in the prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45029/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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This is a repeat of my reply to Question No. 19.

I met last Friday with the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice, David Ford MLA. Among the issues we discussed was the situation in Maghaberry prison, including the regime for separated prisoners.

My last meeting with Secretary of State Theresa Villiers was on 17 November, as we concluded the negotiation of the 'Fresh Start' Agreement. We will meet again before the end of the month, when I will again raise the situation in Maghaberry with her.

At our recent meeting, Minister Ford updated me on progress in implementing the recommendations of the recent report by Criminal Justice Inspector, Brendan McGuigan, into conditions in the prison. The Criminal Justice Inspector will return to Maghaberry in January to monitor progress. I expressed my concerns at the deficiencies identified in the prison, which affect the entire prison population and, also, prison staff, and not just those in the separated regime.

Minister Ford and I also discussed follow-up on the recommendations of the Independent Assessment Team report on the conditions in the prison's separated wing. Minister Ford noted that while there had been some progress, full implementation had been affected by trust issues arising, in part, from the sense of threat to staff. The Northern Ireland Prison Service has said that it remains committed to implementing the recommendations of the stocktake report but only in “an environment where staff are free from threat and intimidation”.

Among the challenges we discussed were the obstacles to the operation of the Prison Forum, which since July 2015 has been chaired by a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross. A functioning forum would make an important contribution to reducing tensions in Maghaberry.

My officials maintain regular contact with the Chair of the Prison Forum and also with the members of the Independent Assessment Team. Regrettably, due to the intensity of the political talks in Belfast, I had to postpone a meeting with the Chair scheduled for 29 October, who instead briefed my officials.