Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

In Paris, yesterday, the Taoiseach promised new legislation in the current Dáil session to tackle climate change. I suggest that the legislation start in this House in view of the fine debate we had recently on climate change. If the Taoiseach brought the Bill to this House, it would be an improvement in the context of tackling the climate change issue. I compliment the organisers of the climate change conference that was held in Ballina on Saturday. It featured notable speakers such as the former President, Ms Mary Robinson, and the widow of Nelson Mandela. There is now a momentum behind tackling these issues, which is to be commended.

I commend the Ceann Comhairle and the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mitchel McLaughlin, who were in this Chamber last Friday to promote a discussion on the role of women in political and public life, North and South. Both the speaker and the Ceann Comhairle must be complimented on the wonderful spirit they generated between people of different political persuasions. It was quite an inspiring occasion and they deserve credit for their work.