An urgent debate following the Paris terrorist attacks, and debates on the protection of media freedom in Europe and on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, are among highlights of the winter session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) taking place in Strasbourg from 26 to 30 January.

Irish President Michael D. Higgins today addressed the Assembly with a speech entitled ‘The Future of Parliaments – Addressing the Challenges’. and is currently taking questions from the floor.

At the Council of Europe President Higgins will also hold bilateral meetings with Mme Brasseur, Ms Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe and Mr Nils Muižnieks, the Council’s Commissioner for Human Rights.

The President will also visit the European Court of Human Rights where he will have a bilateral meeting with Mr Dean Spielmann, the President of the European Court of Human Rights.

You can watch live here.