Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the concern expressed by Ireland about events in Bahrain. Mr. al-Marzooq has been arrested on a charge of incitement of terrorism and violence and alleged support for a terrorist cell. He will be remanded for 30 days. He is an internationally renowned individual who is committed to a peaceful transition from the regime. I think the Government accepts that the regime is sectarian in that people are discriminated against on grounds of religion and are treated as second-class citizens in their own land. I refer to the history of our own country and what happened in the North of Ireland where people were discriminated against on the same grounds. This man's political party is committed to a peaceful transition. The moderate voices in Bahraini society are being silenced. I urge the Minister of State to keep the issue on the agenda as terrible things are happening in that region. Saudi Arabia is Bahrain's big neighbour and has a negative attitude. I ask the Minister of State to do as much as possible to highlight the issues involved.

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