Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an gcomhaontú agus an réitiú atá déanta, tá súil agam, ag muintir dhúchais Mheiriceá Thuaidh. I cautiously welcome the apparent resolution to the protest at Standing Rock by the Sioux tribe. The Leader will know the protest has been ongoing for a long period against the proposed Dakota access pipeline.

The pipeline involves a 1,200 mile link between North Dakota and Illinois which, as proposed, would threaten the native people's water supply, cultural heritage and burial sites. There appears to be a resolution to the protest and the permission to finish the pipelines has not been granted. There are, however, many concerns among the Native American tribe because of the President-elect and his associations with the company responsible and the resolution may be short-lived. In this country we know the importance of environmental indigenous heritage sites and the danger that a capitalist agenda partnered with a compliant government can pose to such sites. Through the Leader, I ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, when he is engaged with colleagues in the United States, to ensure Ireland's voice is very clearly heard in support of those standing in defence of Standing Rock. He should ensure a message of solidarity and support for the Sioux tribe will go from this Chamber.