Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing flexibility to include a fifth Topical Issue on this important subject, especially after statements yesterday on security in Europe.

We woke up this morning to the news that a full-scale invasion had begun in Ukraine, that Ukraine had declared martial law and that explosions had been reported in multiple cities across Ukraine. At the outset, I express my utmost solidarity with Ukrainian people, in Ukraine and also here in Ireland.

Earlier today, Deputy Alan Farrell and I, and so many other Members of these Houses, met with the Ukrainian-Irish community outside Dáil Éireann. Members of our shared community, terrified for their families in Ukraine, have stood outside today in the cold, the rain and the snow. I hope that they see our solidarity with them from everybody going out, but also from the cars passing in the street beeping and supporting them.

There are extensive subway systems across Ukraine and from what we are hearing, those unable to flee at this point are going underground seeking protection and making plans to protect themselves against bombing and ballistic missiles. As we speak, Russian forces have attacked and seized control of an airport and are attempting to take control of other strategic areas.

I welcome, in particular, an Irish-Ukrainian family from my constituency to Leinster House. They are sitting in the Gallery. I spoke with them this morning. They have family in Ukraine trying to flee - trying to head south west. They are part of that traffic jam that we have seen on the television trying to leave Kyiv - people literally fleeing for the well-being of their families. These are the people and families who need safe refuge in Ireland. They are very real, raw, heartbreaking human experiences that nobody ever wants to have to think about.

This is an indefensible aggression in Europe but by no means the first such aggression. It is, as the Taoiseach said, an immoral and outrageous breach of the most fundamental principles of international law. Could the Minister outline to the House the humanitarian response that we can expect from the Government to the concerns of families here today, in particular for those Ukrainians who have been prominent critics of Russia and Putin and the scale, if possible, of the economic and other retaliation that is appropriate to this aggression that we can anticipate by the EU?

See this speech in context