Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)

The restrictions placed on Syria are welcome. However, it is a pity he has not taken the same robust approach to Yemen and Bahrain where the disturbances might not be on the same scale but the principle is similar. In Bahrain, for example, the US gave a green light to Saudis to go in and crush local peaceful protest, enhance religious sectarianism, organise secret trials and sentence prisoners to death. Bahrain is not a lovely place at the moment. Only last week, the British Government issued licences to allow arms manufacturers in Britain to export arms to Bahrain. It is sad to say that money decides most things. Irrespective of that, they can all say "I wish things were better in Bahrain", but as long as they continue to export arms to that government what do they expect? They will do anything for profit. I would like to see the Tánaiste expressing his dislike to David Cameron about the idea of issuing new licences for arms to Bahrain at the moment.

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