Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to learn more about the international unit in the Department of the Taoiseach. It is obviously doing important work.

As we all will be aware, international affairs are dominated just now by the horrific Russian war on Ukraine. The Taoiseach has engaged with a number of Heads of Government in this regard in recent days. Can the Taoiseach give me a sense of where world leaders are at on this? I think, in particular, of the Taoiseach's formal visit to Germany last week and his meeting with the German Chancellor, Mr. Olaf Scholz, just prior to the invasion. It seems, after some initial apparent hesitation by the German Chancellor, he has now become one of the strongest supporters for harsh sanctions on Russia. For example, he has cancelled the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project.

Is the Taoiseach aware of any new initiatives by EU leaders as we witness the horrific scenes taking place in Ukraine?

Finally, in his exchanges with President Biden for St. Patrick's Day, what will the Taoiseach be saying to him in this regard? Have the Taoiseach's plans for his visit to Washington been finalised at this stage?

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