Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I support what Senator O'Brien and others have said in welcoming our Bahraini guests and to underline the importance of the Government not being silent on the issue. I have mentioned in the past in the context of debates about China how there is a real danger at a time of economic pressure that this country would only consider issues through an economic lens. There is a danger that our institutions and universities would fall into that trap as well. It is important that we do not do so. I support the calls on the Government to be clear on this issue, to intervene at the highest level possible and to apply pressure. If our institutions are training medical personnel to work in other parts of the world then they have a duty to do whatever they can to ensure not just that their graduates abroad, but other people who practise in that field, are always respected, safe and treated as neutrals when they give the care to which every human being is entitled regardless of-----