Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

-----and should not be equivocated on either. There are issues in eastern Europe. We have the luxury of telling them how they should live and protect themselves but they are entitled, as democratic states, to organise their protection. They have fears and genuine vulnerabilities because of past experiences and we should acknowledge that. That said, sensible people should sit around a table. I pay tribute to President Macron for the work he has been doing and to the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, who is engaging and talking through the issues. With those kinds of talks they are hopefully facilitating a de-escalation on the Russian side. The US Government has also engaged in a serious way in respect of the Russian security dimension and has put proposals on the table. That has now been acknowledged. We await those results and earnestly hope the conflict will be avoided, for the sake of the citizens of Ukraine who do not deserve to be living under such a threat.

Deputy Haughey is correct. We will hopefully get the opportunity to discuss with President Biden the situation in relation to Northern Ireland, the peace process more generally and the protocol. That is very important. We have a good relationship with the President and with Congress and we have maintained that. They and the President's office have been well briefed on the legacy issues, the proposals from the UK Government in respect of an amnesty and our position on that. The European dimension and the US-Europe relationship is also important and we will add our voice to that, as well as to the issue of the undocumented Irish and other initiatives. There is a standing open invitation to President Biden to visit Ireland, although that would obviously have to fit in with his schedule. Nothing has been arranged but I have invited him to come to Ireland and he would love to come as President of the United States.

Deputy Brendan Smith raised the matter of a special envoy, which is worth consideration and we will give it serious reflection. On the broader issue of stability in Northern Ireland, I think there is a genuine interest from the United States and its President in the protocol issue and how it is impacting on Brexit, the peace process and stability in Northern Ireland. We will take the opportunity to brief the US President on that as well.

On Deputy Barry's point in respect of the US and Russia, I would make the same points I made to Deputy Boyd Barrett. For all of what he might consider its faults and so on, politically Ireland is with democracy and we are fundamentally against authoritarian regimes. That is our broad position.

See this speech in context