Dáil debates

Wednesday, 6 April 2022

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements

 

2:00 pm

Photo of Cathal CroweCathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

They instilled fear in the enemy, but these days, the yellow and blue of Clare are the colours of welcome, love and peace. As of census night last Sunday, 1.5% of the entire population of Clare is Ukrainian. We have one third of all Ukrainians in Ireland. Up until last week, we had more Ukrainians than the entirety of Britain. We are very proud as a county and community for the role we are playing. We are militarily neutral, as everyone says, but that does not stop us from having a position. It does not stop people from Clare and communities throughout the country from knowing what the right thing to do is, when it is right to embrace someone, and when it is right to open one's door and welcome in a family from a war-torn country. We are so proud that 1.5% of our county's population being from Ukraine, sharing these colours with us. They are so welcome.

The European Council considered sanctions against Russia again. This is the only way we will get through to Vladimir Putin, because he does not understand humanity. He is a war criminal. The past four or five days have exposed the true deeds of his army, including genocide and breaches of the Geneva Conventions. This man does not understand humanity, but he understands the value of the rouble. His oligarchs and all his associates understand the value and greening of money. At the beginning of this war, an analysis stated it was costing $2 billion per day for Russia to wage war. In the past week, that figure, in analysis by economists, has crept up to $20 billion per day. That is not just the cost of the army, weapons and military salaries, but the cost to the economy collectively, seven days a week, and I believe this will ultimately grind him down.

Addressing this House in June 1963, President John F. Kennedy stated: "Ireland pursues an independent course in foreign policy, but it is not neutral between liberty and tyranny and never will be." Although that is from six decades ago, that perfectly encapsulates the psyche of the Irish people and the view and policy of Government. The Ukrainian people are watching in Clare and following many of the debates happening in the House today. To them, I say slava Ukraini.

Deputy Naughten referred to the green hydrogen strategy. It is essential that Ireland, along with European partners, leads this. An incredible project is being planned off the west shore of County Clare, the Green Atlantic project. It will be one of Europe's largest wind farms, capitalising on the significant winds coming in from the Atlantic. It is three times more efficient than onshore wind. There will be capacity onshore at the former Moneypoint station to process the wind energy coming in and to store it as hydrogen. That will have knock-on effects for Shannon Airport, where we are trying to devise more sustainable and greener ways of putting planes into our sky. Ireland is leading the way. It does not always show that. We need to lead the way across all European nations in being to the forefront of sustainable aviation and green energy.

A previous speaker mentioned Ambassador Filatov and his residence on Orwell Road. He has shown contempt for the people of Ukraine and for the good people of his own country who do not wish to wage war. He has also shown contempt for our Government, Taoiseach, Ceann Comhairle, and democracy in Ireland. It is time for him to go. It is time for the Government to bring his suitcase to the airport and wave goodbye as he boards a flight back to Moscow.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.