Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 60: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the National University of Ireland's participation in awarding degrees in countries with atrocious human rights records, in view of what is happening in Bahrain now with NUI medical graduates on trial, accused of attempting to topple the government while in fact they were performing duties of care to the injured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16582/11]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 71: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, in view of his recent reply showing concern for the 48 surgeons, doctors, paramedics and nurses on trial in Bahrain, the reason his ambassador (details supplied) attended a graduation ceremony alongside the Prime Minister of Bahrain, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, at RCSI Bahrain in view of the fact that those on trial were performing their duties of care to the injured and now stand accused of attempting to topple the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16580/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 71 together.

I think that it is important to distinguish between the involvement of the Royal College of Surgeons in the training of Bahraini medical personnel, which I would regard as entirely positive, and the detention of medical personnel by the Bahraini authorities, about which I have made clear the Government's concerns.

The Irish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia attended the RCSI graduation ceremony in Bahrain on 13 June, in response to an invitation from the RCSI. He did so however in a private capacity as he is not yet formally accredited to Bahrain, pending the finalisation of bilateral accreditation procedures.

As he is not yet able to make formal representations directly to the authorities in Bahrain, Ambassador Holohan met yesterday with the Bahraini Ambassador in Riyadh to inform him of my own deep concerns, already expressed in this House on a number of occasions, and those of the Irish Government and people in relation to recent events. The Ambassador also used the occasion to urge the Bahraini Ambassador to convey immediately to his authorities that all those who are charged with nothing more than peaceful protest should be released without further delay.

The Government's clear stance on current developments in Bahrain will continue to be conveyed in the fullest terms to the Bahraini authorities on all appropriate occasions, through our Embassy in Riyadh and all other appropriate channels.

In relation to the RCSI, whose graduates receive degrees awarded by the NUI, I have already made clear previously that the Royal College of Surgeons' provision of educational services in Bahrain and elsewhere is primarily an operational issue for the RCSI.

The RCSI is a private third-level institution which has its own relationships in Bahrain and which decides for itself the extent to which it wishes to comment on developments there. However, it also has to be acknowledged that the RCSI has been involved on a commercial basis in Bahrain for some years now and that the medical campus and facilities which it operates represent a very substantial investment which is of direct economic relevance to this country.

I would further like to say that I regard the activities of the RCSI in assisting with the training of foreign medical personnel overseas as a highly worthwhile activity through which the College makes a significant contribution to the quality of life of millions of people around the world.