Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We sympathise with Ukraine and its people. It is not too long ago that a previous generation was involved in civil war and continuation of battle with the British until we got our own independence. As well as the trouble with Russia, there is a civil war threatening in Ukraine because there is a divide between the people. Some want to go with the east and others want to go West.

We have to protect our neutrality. We have done that over the years, including de Valera during the Second World War. Everything worked out and he was right. We do not have a powerful Army to intervene. We have a wonderful Army that has provided a great peacekeeping service all over the world, including in Lebanon. We are very proud of them. We do not have an army to deal with this situation.

I am sorry to see how dependent we are on Russia for fertiliser, fuel and gas. It is disappointing to think that the Government and Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has gone against a proposal to bring in gas by Shannon LNG. We could buy gas more cheaply from the West and not have to depend on the east.

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