Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 20: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any contact with the Department of Health in relation to the plight of Irish trained doctors in Bahrain; his views on whether it would be useful for the Department of Health to engage with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland on this matter in view of the influence the RCSI has in Bahrain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20082/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 34: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has communicated directly with the Bahraini head of state King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa or with his Bahraini counterpart in the Bahrain administration concerning the ongoing plight of Irish trained doctors imprisoned in Bahrain. [20080/11]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question 35: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to secure the safety and liberty of doctors and medical personnel trained here and now facing trial and imprisonment by the Bahraini authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20110/11]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 46: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had direct communication with the Bahraini authorities regarding the human rights situation in Bahrain. [20081/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 34, 35 and 46 together.

I have already outlined my concerns to this House about the ongoing detention and trial of forty eight medical personnel, a number of whom were trained by the RCSI and also worked in Ireland at one stage. I have called clearly for such personnel to be released, unless charged or unless the Bahraini authorities can present clear evidence that they may have committed serious criminal offences, and for independent observers to be allowed monitor the ongoing legal proceedings. I welcome the fact that a considerable number of the medical personnel charged are no longer in custody and that a decision has now been taken to transfer the ongoing legal proceedings from a military to a civilian court.

The Government has already relayed its concerns directly to the Bahraini authorities on this matter. Ambassador Holohan met on 20 June with the Bahraini Ambassador in Riyadh to inform him of my own deep concerns, and those of the Irish Government and people in relation to recent events. The Government has also been pressing for an active response at EU level. High Representative Ashton has issued a number of strong statements, most recently one on 1 July which welcomed the establishment of an independent international commission into the events of February and March. The Taoiseach also raised Bahrain at the European Council on 23-24 June, where Ireland succeeded in having a reference to the current unsatisfactory human rights situation in Bahrain, including the trials and sentencing of opposition members, made in the final Declaration. The Government will continue to convey its concerns in the fullest terms to the Bahraini authorities, through our Embassy in Riyadh and through EU and other appropriate channels.

As regards the RCSI, I have already made clear that my Department has had contact with the RCSI in relation to the situation in Bahrain. I met Professor Cathal Kelly, the CEO of the RCSI, yesterday at his request to discuss the situation further. I am also aware that the Minister for Education and Science has met with Professor Kelly and the RCSI at their request. My understanding is that the Minister for Health has not had any discussions with the RCSI on Bahrain.

It is important to recall that the RCSI is a private third-level institution which has its own relationships in Bahrain and which has been involved on a commercial basis in Bahrain for some years now. The medical campus and facilities which it operates there represent a very substantial investment which is of direct economic relevance to this country. I would further add 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.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 22: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he intends to lobby the Sri Lankan Government to lift the Prevention of Terrorism Act; if he intends to press the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission to inform relatives when a citizen is arrested; if he will urge the Sri Lankan Government to adhere to a 2006 presidential directive by registering detainees, informing families and the human rights commission of the place of arrest and detention; and if he will urge the Government of Sri Lanka to allow the Red Cross full access to prisons where those still detained after the conflict are held. [20092/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The political and human rights situation in Sri Lanka continues to give cause for concern. Despite the best efforts of the United Nations and the wider international community, the Sri Lankan Government has to date refused to co-operate with the Panel of Experts appointed by UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon and has failed to address the recommendations contained in their report. The Deputy has highlighted two of the recommendations made in the report: the call for the immediate repeal of the Emergency Regulations and for relatives of detainees to be informed when a citizen is arrested. I fully support these and the other recommendations made by the Panel of Experts.

I also support the additional suggestions put forward by the Deputy arising from the 2006 Presidential Directive which requires the registration of detainees with the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission and informing their families and the Human Rights Commission of the place of arrest. I support granting access for the International Red Cross to all prison facilities in Sri Lanka. These issues will be covered in our ongoing bilateral contacts with the Sri Lankan authorities.

It is important for the long term peace and stability of Sri Lanka that issues related to the conflict, including addressing the crimes of the past, are addressed as part of a comprehensive reconciliation process. Officials from my Department have conveyed this position to the Sri Lankan authorities both directly in bilateral contacts and in other multilateral fora, including through the European Union and at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The promotion of human rights is a key element of the Government's policy towards Sri Lanka. Ireland played an active part in the European Union decision in 2010 to suspend duty free access for Sri Lankan exports under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP plus) after the Sri Lankan Government failed to deliver written undertakings on human rights conventions dealing with torture, children's rights and political rights. I believe that the international community can play an important role in facilitating dialogue and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. I would again urge the government in Colombo to co-operate fully with the UN and address the recommendations made by the Panel of Experts.