In the programme for Government there is a commitment on page 144 to protect and promote human rights. As the Tánaiste is aware, the Sultan of Brunei who has absolute control in that country announced that new barbaric capital punishment laws would be introduced, which would include death by stoning or flogging for LGBT citizens. The sultan is one of the world's richest men and owns the exclusive Dorchester Hotel in London. It has in recent days been the scene of a protest which extend to a picket and an international boycott of the hotel, as well as others owned by the sultan. I am informed that the Attorney General will attend the annual meeting of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers in the hotel in the next two days. Will the Tánaiste confirm if that is the case? Will the Government ensure the Attorney General will refuse to cross the picket and break the boycott?

It would be inappropriate to do so. The hotel is the locus of the protests taking place against what are absolutely appalling laws brought forward by the Sultan of Brunei. The hotel is in his sole ownership. It would be inappropriate for the Attorney General or any member of the Government to patronise it while the protest is ongoing.

I join the Deputies in utterly rejecting and criticising recent policy decisions made by the Sultan of Brunei. It is barbaric to propose that anybody be stoned, never mind that people be stoned on the basis of their sexual preference or identity. It is a significant retrograde step and we have an obligation to speak out against it, as I am happy to do. As regards the event to which the Deputies are referring, I will need to speak to the Attorney General. My understanding is he has been invited to an event in a private capacity, but I need to establish the full details before I can give the Deputies a more definitive answer.

That concludes Questions on Promised Legislation. Deputies Heydon, Byrne, Butler and Buckley have not been reached, but they will be given priority tomorrow.