Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Carroll MacNeill for having the foresight to put this item on the agenda and the Minister for making himself available.

Like my colleague, I woke this morning and turned on my radio and immediately felt my heart in the pit of my stomach with the horrific news that the Russian Federation had invaded the sovereign territory of Ukraine. Like any democrat or any parent, I immediately think of the women, the men and the children of that nation and the terror that they must feel as we speak.

It is an act of tyranny, an act of barbarism on the part of the Russian Federation. In particular, I am especially aggrieved with the lies that we have been told over the past number of days and weeks, even in this House in the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, where the Russian Federation ambassador presented himself for questions.

This is a murderous rampage from a despot that will undoubtedly kill tens, if not thousands, of innocent citizens of Ukraine going about their ordinary business.

I listened very carefully to the Ukrainian ambassador on radio this morning. I could hear the emotion. It was hard not to feel the emotion that she expressed on behalf of her people and her Government.

Like my colleague, I have grave concerns for the innocents in Ukraine right now. I am pleased to have heard what the Taoiseach said earlier in relation to visas. I would like the Minister to explain that in more detail and the supports that are being offered on the ground to Irish citizens and their families who may not all be of Irish extraction.

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