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

I am also glad to get the opportunity to talk about this very serious matter. It is sure we must do everything we can. It is very clear that what is going on are war crimes affecting civilians. The way they are being treated, bombarded, hurt, maimed and killed, it is clear war crimes are being committed at present. We must monitor and ensure that if it can happen, it should happen that this fella, Putin, will be prosecuted and get the proper penalty he deserves.

In the past week, one of his lieutenants has suggested doing something to Ireland. In that vein, there have even been calls in the Chamber this morning for the Russian ambassador to be sent home. I say no such thing. We should keep him here. If Russia and Putin do anything to our country or to our people, if they suggest or do anything untoward to our people in our country, the ambassador should be the first fella to be targeted, locked up somewhere, the key thrown away, and an odd bite to eat thrown to him now and then to keep him barely alive. We never did anything out of the way to Russia and it is wrong of it to target us here in the middle of the ocean. I ask the Minister of State to ensure that the Russian ambassador does not go home, or his entourage and the people with him in the ambassador's residence, wherever it is. Not one of them should be allowed to go home. If they do any act or hurt Ireland in any way, he should be the first man to be targeted and minded to ensure we get some good out of him and do not let him go. Certainly, do not send him home.

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