Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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37. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had discussions recently with the British and Northern Ireland authorities regarding unresolved issues for prisoners in a prison (details supplied); and the way he could progress these issue as a matter of urgency. [18231/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I wish to reiterate my ongoing concerns about conditions in Maghaberry Prison, Northern Ireland.

Maghaberry Prison was identified by the Criminal Justice Inspector, Brendan McGuigan, in a 2015 report as needing work to make the prison safer and to improve conditions for staff. Since publication of that report, the Criminal Justice Inspectorate has continued with a programme of announced, low impact, visits to the prison which find that the situation has stabilised and that some progress has been achieved. More work remains to be done. In making the desired progress in Maghaberry, the cooperation of both the Northern Ireland Prison Service and the prisoners themselves is required. I would encourage all with influence to move forward in the right spirit.

The Northern Ireland Executive last summer agreed to implement the recommendation of the Fresh Start Paramilitary Panel that a review of the separated regime in Maghaberry be established. I look forward to the review panel being appointed following agreement on the formation of a new Executive and to seeing their work completed. I believe that the review opens up an opportunity to address genuine concerns regarding separation, including such issues as association on the landings and access to education. My Department engaged fully in the Paramilitary Panel’s consultation process.

Complicating matters has been the sense of threat which prison officers and their families perceive. The murders of two prison officers, Adrian Ismay last March and David Black in 2012, have set back relations, in addition to being a tragedy for their families and friends.

Conditions in the prison form part of my regular discussions with political interlocutors in the North. I look forward to continuing that active engagement as and when a new Minister for Justice is in place in Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has certain responsibilities around the separated regime and he is aware of my views. In addition, my officials maintain regular contact with the Department of Justice in the North, the Prisoner Ombudsman, the Criminal Justice Inspectorate, the International Committee of the Red Cross’s Belfast office and other relevant agencies.