Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he would raise Marian Price’s situation in Maghaberry prison when he meets the British prime minister David Cameron early next month.
Mr Kenny said he would study the report of the all-party delegation that had visited the prison and met and spoke to Price.
“I am aware of the circumstances of Ms Price going back into Maghaberry and of the medical reports regarding her state of health,’’ the Taoiseach added.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said a major issue surrounded the continued imprisonment of Price and a man called Martin Corey.
‘Due process’
“They are held without charge or trial,’’ he added. “There is no due process whatsoever.’’ He said the delegation had found Price to be very ill.
Mr Adams also said the vast majority of people in Belfast were opposed to the riots there.
He added that those responsible for the violence and the protests represented a small minority who either feared change or were exploiting those afraid of change.
“There needs to be an unequivocal message from all the political leaders in the North that this must stop,’’ he added.
Mr Kenny said he commended the business people and the retailers in Belfast on the extraordinary resilience they showed in the face of riots.
Call for calm
He hoped, he said, that following a period of calm, rioting did not return to the North and that business in Belfast was allowed to continue to progress as it had done for quite a number of years.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said the Taoiseach should consider convening a meeting with Mr Cameron and the main parties in the North to discuss the fallout from the riots and chart a way forward.
Commemorations
He added that later in the year there would be commemorations of historical significance which had the potential to be exploited by those who would like to do so.