Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join the Chair in assuring our guests of Ireland's absolute and unwavering support for the Ukrainian people and their Government. We will continue, undoubtedly, to do the right thing by the Ukrainian people and offer a safe port for the massive number of them who are displaced. No matter how challenging it is, no-one in this country could be facing the horrors the ambassador's people are facing. As a result of that, it is imperative we reiterate our commitment in that regard and assure the ambassador that, no matter the difficulties from how little or how great a minority, we will continue to do the right thing, and we are undoubtedly doing the right thing.

Following on from Deputy Stanton on the proliferation of mines, it is said up 60% of the agricultural land base is now mined and 35% of land generally is. I note, welcome and appreciate the Government's committing our Defence Forces in joining international armed forces in helping, assisting and training the Ukrainian population in the area of demining. It is efforts of that nature which can be of great benefit in practical terms. I have no doubt that through the interactions with the EU, more opportunities such as that will emerge in time. Our Defence Forces are committed to act in such a manner in order to assist the ambassador's people to be in a better position to defend themselves.

As we approach the anniversary of the invasion, Russia may not be winning the war or it may not be going according to its greater plans but that can be of little solace to the ambassador and her people, especially given the terrible atrocities being perpetrated by Russia. We will, as has been alluded to, continue to use whatever influence we have, no matter how small a nation we are. We have a history of conflict resolution and expertise in that regard and we will seek to use what diplomatic channels we can within the EU, the UN and the international community in an effort to bring peace to bear, eventually.