Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I call on the Leader to arrange a debate on fossil fuel divestment.One year on from the historic Paris agreement on climate change I am delighted to say that yesterday Trinity College, Dublin, became the first university in Ireland to sign up to fossil fuel divestments following a 15 month student campaign, Fossil Free TCD, and the college will now sell up to €6 million worth of investment in oil companies as part of a global movement for divestments in fossil fuels. Some 677 institutions have pledged to divest from fossil fuels as part of a major global divest-invest campaign. I was delighted to join some of the students from the Fossil Free TCD campaign and the students' union earlier today outside Leinster House to highlight the campaign.

We had a debate on climate change last week and will have a series of statements on climate change, but I would like us to examine fossil fuel divestment which can play a major part in resolving issues around climate change. I commend Trinity College and all of those involved in the campaign for signing up to this. It is to be hoped other universities and institutions around the country will follow.

I also welcome the publication of the House of Lords report yesterday on UK-Irish relations after Brexit. It is worthwhile and welcome to see it placing such a priority on the need to ensure preservation of the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process, and making the key point that Northern Ireland must not be relegated to a mean bargaining chip in tough negotiations between Britain and the EU. It is a very welcome report which makes some sensible proposals about how best to ensure that a soft border is maintained on the island after Brexit.

I had the pleasure of meeting Hilary Benn, MP, earlier, who is the chairperson of the Exiting the European Union Select Committee and will speak at a Labour Party seminar today as part of an ongoing process of an examination of and discussion on Brexit. We will discuss the matter with the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I would welcome a debate and discussion in the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on how the Seanad can best play a role in the negotiations on Brexit and have an input into the process.

I note the appalling situation in eastern Aleppo today. There are reports of brutalities and at least 82 civilians have been killed. Some 11 women and 13 children were shot as they tried to flee from a brutal Syrian and Russian Government bombardment of eastern Aleppo. The UN has called it a complete meltdown of humanity. I have called for a debate on Aleppo and Syria many times, and the House unanimously passed a motion condemning the bombardment of Aleppo which with I went to the Russian ambassador. We questioned the Russian ambassador and pro-Syrian regime representatives who came before the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The latest carnage we are seeing in eastern Aleppo is appalling. We may see an endgame, whereby the moderate secular opposition is being entirely wiped out in Syria. It is distressing to see what is happening. I ask that we have a debate on the matter in early course.