Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to start by agreeing with the remarks of my colleague Senator O'Loughlin on progress being reached on the resolution of the section 39 issue. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, for her work in that regard.

I am very conscious that the atrocities we are seeing emerging from the Middle East are overshadowing the continuing war which Russia is waging against Ukraine. This week we passed 600 days since Russia's unlawful invasion of Ukraine. Today, President Putin is meeting with Xi Jinping. Alliances are being formed between Russia and China with regard to their geopolitical perspective on the world. For those of us who live in democracies and are opposed to authoritarian regimes, this has to be a cause for concern. The European Union must continue to speak out about the values of human rights in this continent and, indeed, beyond. It is welcome in the context of the Polish election that a new government is in place. It is good that all the main political parties in Poland, both government and opposition, continue to show their support for Ukraine. Now, 600 days into this war, with Russia still carrying out attacks on civilians, it is as important as ever that Ireland and the European Union reaffirm our support for the Ukrainian people and for President Zelenskyy and his government.