Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh na daltaí, tuismuitheoirí agus múinteoirí ó Ghaelscoil Brian Boróimhe i Sord Cholmcille. I ask the Leader what progress, if any, he or the Deputy Leader made with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste on the upcoming trial in Bahrain of the 20 doctors who are being tried again in civilian court. I was pleased yesterday that across the House, Members from all parties and Independents showed full support for the Bahrain doctors, one of whom was in the Visitors Gallery yesterday. I remind the House that there are people already in a military court who have been charged and handed sentences of between five and 15 years for simply doing what doctors should do in looking after people who are in distress and injured. Did the Leader contact the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste yesterday given that this matter needs to be raised at the highest level, namely, with the King of Bahrain or his Ministers?

On 6 June I asked for the publication of the letter that the Taoiseach sent to Chancellor Angela Merkel, the President of the European Council Mr. Herman van Rompuy and the other EU Heads of Government in respect of the Government's negotiating position post the passing of the referendum on debt sustainability and how the debt burden will be dealt with here. At that time the Taoiseach would not give the other House any details of his telephone conversation with Chancellor Merkel. We do not know what the Taoiseach sought. Did he seek a debt write down, extension of debt terms or a reduction in interest rates? If we do not know that the people do not know it either.