Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My time is limited so I will mention just two brief points. First, I want to strongly voice my support and call for intensive and sustained dialogue between the EU and Russia, NATO and Russia, and the US and Russia in an effort to de-escalate the current situation which is a real and present threat to peace in Europe. At every opportunity, especially at the UN Security Council, we must make our views heard loud and clear to ensure that negotiations are front and centre of all approaches to de-escalate this potential conflict.

I am not giving Russia a free pass here. We all recognise what is happening with the severe and imminent threat that Vladimir Putin poses to Ukraine and to its territorial integrity. Respectfully, I have to disagree with some of my colleagues who spoke about NATO manoeuvres and compared them with Russian military aggression. I do not support NATO manoeuvres but they take place on the territory of countries and with the agreement of sovereign states. Sovereign states also have a choice whether to be part of NATO. That is very different from annexations and what is happening with Russian military aggression. We need a tough, determined approach because we all recognise that military might is only part of the equation. If tough, co-ordinated sanctions, financial and otherwise, are put in place, it will provide some deterrent.

My second brief point refers to the need for the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, TRIPS, waiver, which is the waiver on intellectual property rights on vaccines. The Taoiseach mentioned COVAX earlier.

Today, COVAX is pleading for funds to assist in its roll-out of vaccines to the world's poorest countries. While it has some vaccines available, it does not have syringes or other necessary elements to ensure the roll-out of the vaccine. The WHO has said it needs $5.2 billion to support it in rolling out vaccines globally. A TRIPS waiver on vaccines will not solve the problem overnight, but it would be a massive leap forward and provide the momentum for vaccine production globally.

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