Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to echo Senator Grace O'Sullivan's words and her condolences to the families of those cyclists who were killed so tragically on our roads. I endorse what she said in calling on the Minister, Deputy Shane Ross, to outline plans for cycle safety and increase the level of cycling on our roads. During the term of the previous Seanad, I organised an Oireachtas all-party cycling group for those of us involved in cycling and keen to promote both cycling and greater cycle safety on roads across the country. I hope Senator Grace O'Sullivan, other Members and I can work together to set up a similar group in the lifetime of the current Seanad.

I welcomed the opportunity to speak to the Taoiseach and raise a number of issues with him last week when he came to the House. Since then, we have heard from the UK Prime Minister, Ms Teresa May, on providing greater clarity on the timeline for Brexit. I welcome the fact that we will have a further debate tomorrow at which we will be able to discuss Brexit.

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to come to the House on a future date specifically to address a different matter I raised with the Taoiseach on Thursday, namely, the issue of Syria, the appalling bombardment of civilians in Aleppo, in particular, and the abandonment of the peace process by Russia and the Syrian Government. We need to hear from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on the action Ireland proposes to take in ensuring a stronger stance is taken, unilaterally and at EU level, against Russia to try to bring it back to the negotiating table to ensure some respite for the besieged civilians in Aleppo. In particular, our Minister should be calling in the Russian ambassador to explain to him the actions of the Russian Government in breaking the ceasefire and returning to this appalling bombardment.