John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I propose to concentrate on the critical situation in the Ukraine, which we all know could have dire consequences for all of Europe. Like every other Deputy, I abhor the Russian aggression in the Ukraine. However, there is a danger that the West will overlook the ongoing widespread corruption in the Ukraine, which does not appear to have abated since President Yanukovych was removed from power. In 2014, the Ukraine was ranked 142 out of 175 countries in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, which makes puts it among what are considered to be the most highly corruptible countries and on a par with Uganda and Nigeria. I acknowledge that Russia has played an important role in bolstering this system of corruption. I have no truck for Putin's methods or his relationships with some of the oligarchs in the Ukraine. However, besides a couple of stunts on camera, few meaningful steps have been taken by the current administration in the Ukraine since taking office to tackle the imbedded system of corruption. A package of anti-corruption measures-laws were passed but the new coalition government comprises many of the same people suspected of having milked millions out of the system.

The old ways of doing business in the Ukraine remain in operation. For years, an elite, ruthless few churned elicit profits into bank accounts around the world while the West turned a blind eye. These oligarchs are still holding the Ukraine economy to hostage. They will not hesitate to resort to additional legal means to maintain their sources of income and power. They have no interest in building a new country. As acknowledged by many governments across Europe, the infamous Right Sector still holds enormous power in the Ukraine. Only two weeks ago, the press secretary of the Right Sector said in an interview that Europe needed to be told the right way to go so as to save it from the terrible situation of total liberalism. This is what members of the Ukraine Government are telling those who do not go to church or are tolerant of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. It is crucial that we in the West take a strong position on the participation of the far right in the new government and on the uncontrolled rightist paramilitaries on the streets of Ukraine. The new government must run the country properly. Currently, the Ukraine is crippled by war and corruption and there is no point in the West seeking an end for the former without a willingness to rule out the latter.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the tremendous work being done by Deputy Dominic Hannigan as Chairman of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs. It is an honour to work with him on that committee. He does superb work right across Europe, which is recognised across Europe.

We need to monitor the situation in the Ukraine, which may become critical in the coming months. We need to be careful how we line up in terms of our dealings with this absolutely corrupt regime that appears to have some influence with Europe. It would appear that we believe everything it says and does.

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