Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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65. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with members of the executive in Northern Ireland in relation to the conditions under which segregated prisoners are held in HMP Magheraberry and other related issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17313/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Responsibility for Maghaberry prison rests with the Northern Ireland Prison Service, which is overseen by the Northern Ireland Department of Justice. 

As is the case with prisons in this jurisdiction, the overriding concern in recent times has been the health and safety within the prisons due to Covid 19. Maghaberry Prison has so far been successful in preventing any cases of Covid 19 in the prison.  Improvements in educational provision and other practices and procedures have had to be adapted or suspended due to the health and safety arrangements on Covid 19 prevention; it is expected that these will be restored as soon as is practicable.

The Independent Reporting Commission, established by treaty between the Irish and British Governments, reports on the implementation of the Northern Ireland Executive’s Tackling Paramilitary Activity, Criminality and Organised Crime Programme. Among the actions under the programme is a commitment from the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland to revisit the framework related to the separated regime and arrange for an independent review of the operation of the regime. The IRC noted in its last report that the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland plans an independent review of the separated regime but that this work would require Ministerial consideration and approval.

My officials at the Belfast Secretariat will continue to engage with a range of parties to monitor the situation in the prison.