Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am not advocating for Ukraine to join anything. Ukraine can do whatever its people and government decide to do. The Deputy talked about NATO expansion; I am talking about countries that decided to join NATO and we must respect their decisions. Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and other countries have very good reasons to be in military alliances, if that is their wish. We are not in military alliances.

However, the Deputy should not confuse military neutrality with taking no sides when there is a clear question of right and wrong. If a country like Ukraine, a proud country with a proud history, has tanks on its border from Russia that are poised to act, no right-minded person can be neutral. If one is for democracy and for countries' self-determination and the self-determination of their people, but not in Ukraine, then one is not for democracy and self determination. There is no neutrality there. There is no impinging whatsoever on our military neutrality. The British are sending weapons and so forth. Ireland is not doing that, but we certainly are taking a stand in international bodies, primarily at the European Council where the Taoiseach took a very strong stand about this. Yes, the issue arises at the United Nations Security Council. Of course, we cannot forget that the five great powers have a veto power in the Security Council, so that brings its own complications there. That is not Ireland's fault.

There has been a formal meeting on Ukraine, usually once every year in February, that Russia holds when it holds the presidency. As I understand it, there will be a formal meeting on 17 February this year. There have been other side meetings under the Arria formula as well on Ukraine. We are in constant discussions but our diplomatic actions will be primarily focused with our European colleagues, primarily because Ukraine is on the European continent.

The Minister, Deputy Coveney, when discussing this matter made clear his rejection of what Russia is doing in our exclusive economic zone. The European Council, with the Taoiseach, decided in December that any action from Russia would result in massive consequences. The truth is the potential for conflict is having a very destabilising effect around the world, particularly in respect of fuel prices. The Deputy correctly mentioned the cost of fertiliser, for example, which is huge. One of the biggest factors in producing fertiliser is natural gas and the price of natural gas is going up and up. One of the current reasons for that is the potential for conflict and our dependence on Russian gas. This relates to another point, which is that one way to avoid those types of price increases is what Deputy Leddin advocates, a rapid change to renewable energy. That is the way out of this.

Currently, this is a real problem. It will be a problem for the people of Ukraine and the Russian families of dead soldiers if they go in. That is the reality. There will be issues with refugees and, from a price perspective, with consumer goods and food in particular. It is a major crisis and Ireland will do everything it can diplomatically to avoid it. We have a proud tradition of diplomatic efforts around the world that every Member has referenced. We are one part of this but we certainly support the rights of people to defend themselves. They are entitled to do that.

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