Representatives from Sinn Fein met republican prisoners at Whitemoor Prison, London, yesterday to discuss the IRA ceasefire and transfers to prisons in Northern Ireland.
The newly-elected Sinn Fein TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain, the vice-president of Sinn Fein, Mr Pat Docherty, and a spokeswoman, Ms Bernadette Farrell, described the first visit during a three-day programme as "important".
The team met nine prisoners, five in the main block and four in Special Secure Units (SSUs). Speaking after the meeting, Mr Docherty said he had spoken to the prisoners about the background to the IRA ceasefire and how it had been possible for Sinn Fein to participate in substantive talks with the British government next month. The prisoners had asked "detailed questions" about the talks.
Mr Docherty said the prisoners in the SSUs complained of being locked in their cells for up to 23 hours a day. After a meeting with the deputy governor of Whitemoor, the Sinn Fein delegation said it had been assured the complaints would be considered.
Earlier, following a meeting with the Democratic Unionist Party leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, the Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, insisted the transfer of prisoners to Northern Ireland and the Republic was continuing. "It is something we will do anyway if the ceasefire continues to hold because it is the right way forward."