Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms McKenna and colleagues. The witnesses have put their opening statements in writing, which makes for grim reading. Committee members will have an opportunity to share that and to share our experience of the past couple of hours with Members of both Houses over the next day or so.

It would seem to me there are three alternatives for what might happen next: a protracted war, a peace deal or regime change in Russia. Of the three, it would appear that the most likely is a protracted war. In that regard, I acknowledge the great work Ms McKenna and all of her colleagues are doing from a humanitarian point of view.

Having heard the witnesses' submissions, I trust that we would like to have a further opportunity of direct engagement should matters not lead to a peace deal as early as we all would wish.

I thank the witnesses for being with us and for dealing with members' questions and observations. I ask members to hold on as we have some private business to get through.