The "discriminatory" treatment of republican prisoners in UK prisons constitutes a serious threat to the peace process, according to a Labour Party parliamentary delegation which has visited the jails.
The group says conditions are deteriorating at an alarming rate, and calls for the early transfer of prisoners who have applied for transfer to the Republic or Northern Ireland, which would facilitate relatives and help cement the peace process.
The group has recommended that all prisoners who require medical attention should receive it immediately and telephone access should not be seriously limited for Irish prisoners who have few or no visits.
"The automatic Category A designation of all Irish republican prisoners should be discontinued in view of their stated commitment to the peace process," said the delegation.
The delegation included Mr Declan Bree TD, Mr Tommy Broughan TD and Mr Joe Costello TD, and was led by Senator Sean Maloney.