CLIMATE CHANGE, migrant workers, human rights and the humanitarian situation in Gaza are among the issues for debate in Cape Town, South Africa, at the 118th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, which opened this weekend.
Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue is leading the Irish delegation to the assembly of 700 legislators from 143 member-parliaments of the IPU, which runs for the next five days.
Mr O'Donoghue is being accompanied by TDs Frank Fahey, Tom Hayes, Frank Feighan and Peter Kelly and by Senators Maria Corrigan, Denis O'Donovan and Brendan Ryan.
The conference, which has the theme "Pushing Back the Frontiers of Poverty", will stage a general debate on the political, economic and social situation in the world.
The agenda for the week includes the role of parliaments in striking a balance between national security, human security and individual freedoms, and in averting the threat to democracy.
Also up for discussion is parliamentary oversight of state policies on foreign aid, migrant workers, people-trafficking, xenophobia and human rights.
Proposals for emergency discussion include the humanitarian situation in Gaza, climate change and support for the protection of international law.