Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Sorry, if the Senator does not mind, we have limited time.

No one is suggesting it is simple. It is important and complicated. That is why the Department should be able to do it and we should have the skills. I asked Mr. Gilvarry specifically in the context of the Department’s legal opinion and advice and what it has been looking at whether he believes it is legally acceptable to be investing in illegally occupied territories. If the Department has been working away in the background for the past year and checking in with the Attorney General, I would like to know where things lie in that regard.

On indices, it does not seem acceptable to be told that public money - our money, that of every person in Ireland - is complicated and the State is investing in bundled products and we would have to look inside the bundle. Mr. Gilvarry is talking about indices and it being too complicated because it is in a big group product.

We are screening where cluster munitions and fossil fuels are concerned. Presumably, we will hear how that is applied to these indices.

Russia was mentioned. I would like to know exactly what the mechanisms are in terms of decision-making on investment in Russia, which is a geographical area. Is it being handled by companies, including investment companies, on our behalf? Is it being led at our level? Who is doing it and how are they doing it? Are they engaged in an iterative process whereby they talk to Russia and tell it not to invade Ukraine or are they engaging in a more concrete measure?

I have raised a legal question. I would also like to hear from Ms Meghen about the-----