Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The ambassador and her officials are very welcome. It is important they are here with us. We welcome the opportunity to renew our expressions of solidarity to her. There is no ambiguity or question about that. I want the ambassador to know the people of Ireland are completely with the people of Ukraine. She might have noticed one or two ugly demonstrations in the newspapers, but they are very fringe. They are beyond fringe, thank God. What is more representative is that the mass of people, and their representatives in here, across all political areas, are totally in support of the Ukrainian people. Ms Gerasko should not interpret that small cohort who are there for negative purposes as being reflective of the will of the people.

I wish to ask about a few things and variations on what has been asked. From a military point of view, I gather there is a need to get the additional arms and the tanks that have recently been approved into the country in time and to get Ukrainian soldiers trained to use them. The ambassador and her officials might comment on the status of those efforts. Are we going to be fit to get the additional armaments in on time and effectively? There is not much can be said only that it is a horror, but I gather from the newspapers that there was a near hit on a nuclear plant in the last few days. Our guests might elaborate to allow us confirm that is the case. It was certainly reported in the media. That risk is perpetually there.

Deputy Stanton raised the question of the children. We are all concerned on that level and I await the ambassador's answer to him on that.

Our guests might elaborate on the application for EU membership and the fact Ukraine is working on the seven recommendations. I gather there have been some high-profile arrests around corruption in recent times. Our guests might comment on that. Most people want to see Ukraine in the EU and the same is true with Moldova. Ultimately, we want Ukraine, Moldova and our friends from Georgia to be part of the EU also. We support an expanded EU. Obviously, the recommendations issued are there for good reason. Our guests might comment on them and whether they are attainable. If any of them are unattainable or unreasonable we should know about them because then we could try to project that to our MEPs and to the Commission.

Deputy Cowen made a point about the Irish being so willing to be peacemakers. Our guests may take that as a given. We have expertise there, as the Deputy said, and would love to be at the vanguard of seeing peace. Some recommendations towards a peace plan came from China recently. Our guests might give an opinion on that plan or say whether any element of it is workable.