Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

Despite the impassioned plea made by Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú on behalf of Marion Price, Members of the House are probably not very familiar with the case. I ask the Leader to take up the matter with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. Obviously, there is a real human rights issue involved which should be addressed. I support the call made by Senator Ivana Bacik for a debate on the death penalty and human rights issues. The human rights issue raised by Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú should be part of that debate, as should the issue raised yesterday and today by Senator David Norris with regard to what happened in Holland, as well as that raised by Senator John Crown regarding the Bahraini doctors and Pastor Nadarkhani. I take the opportunity to compliment Kofi Annan on the progress he has made in the last few days in attempting to broker a peace solution in Syria. Given that 9,000 people have lost their lives there in the past year or so, it is incumbent on all sides to resolve the dispute. I call on President Assad to honour in good faith the verbal commitments and indications he has given that he is prepared to adhere to the agreement brokered by Kofi Annan whom I wish success in improving the situation in Syria.