Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the presence of the ambassador. For people following the meeting in Ukraine, you have an ambassador and staff in Dublin who work extremely hard for displaced citizens who arrive in this country, many of whom I have met.

The Chairman adverted to the issue of generators. The Russians have clearly targeted electricity, gas and water infrastructure in particular. In high-rise apartment blocks the demand for high-powered generators must be fairly high. It would be handy to have quantified exactly what Ukraine needs in order to identify what part Ireland can play in the provision of generators. I also met Ukraine's military attaché about a week ago, who expressed a desire to have winter tents and clothing made available. Can we get some idea of the numbers we are talking about? That would be helpful.

I speak as an Independent and I do not speak for Ireland in any way. As regards support for Ukraine, I find it regrettable that we have weapons here that we could provide to Ukraine. Having provided military helmets, medical aid, first aid and flak jackets, the move to provide weapons is a very short step. There is no question of where we stand on the war; we are 100% supportive of and behind Ukraine's struggle. We will keep advocating for the provision of what limited weapons we have. We do not have a whole lot, to be totally honest about it.

I am concerned about the number of displaced people who are still attempting to enter Ireland. It is not that we do not want Ukraine's citizens here. We wish to provide any accommodation and resources we can but, right now, we have nothing left. Ukrainian people arriving here are coming to very poor accommodation and circumstances. The country will do everything it possibly can but we have to be realistic about what we can offer. Ukraine's ambassador has made that point quite clearly in recent days.

We will continue to fight the struggle with Ukraine. We think it may become a distant war over the winter period in which there will be less face-to-face contact and more missile attacks, especially long-range missiles into Kyiv and other major cities, and that we will unfortunately have to watch from the outside. I totally support Mr. Merezhko's comments on the UN Security Council. I do not believe the Soviet Union should have a seat on the Security Council because there is no Soviet Union but, then again, I do not believe the UN Security Council is fit for purpose any more. Our Government has tried to change the veto in the Security Council which is a key issue. I would like to think the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE, would have a greater role but I understand Mr. Merezhko's answer.

I do not have any other questions. Slava Ukraini. I wish Mr. Merezhko and Ms Rudenko the very best of luck and we are with them.