Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 31 May 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence

Update on Current Situation in Ukraine: Discussion

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

Thank you, Mr. Yermak. That was a very thought-provoking address and hopefully for us an action-provoking address. I acknowledge the address some weeks ago of President Zelenskyy. He had a very strong message for us in Ireland and we were very grateful that he took the time to address our Parliament. Similarly, I am grateful to you, the head of his office and chief of staff, for joining us in our parliamentary committee.

I said to members that we have something of a challenge because you have about 15 or 20 minutes. I will ask the ambassador, H.E. Ms Gerasko, to wait for a moment to allow for some direct questions to you. We will resume with an update on the situation in Ireland with the ambassador and Mrs. Shaloput. I would say to the members that we do not have time for speeches or observations. I ask them to put direct questions to you, Mr. Yermak. I am going to start with Deputy Cowen.

I would say to you, Mr. Yermak, that in spite of all the apparent insurmountable challenges you face that you still had time to mix seriousness with humour. You managed to do something nobody else has ever done, which is to invoke the name of Johnny Cash at our committee. Can I say in response to your reference to Johnny Cash that this committee "will walk the line" with you by declaring our support and our loyalty in the same way the message was portrayed in the most famous of Johnny Cash songs?

I thank you for being with us.

I will go straight to questions and will start with Deputy Cowen, Senator Ó Donnghaile and Deputy Berry. We will take three or four questions together. I would ask you, Mr. Yermak, to respond before departing.

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