John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We mark the 72nd anniversary of the Schuman Declaration at a time of great challenge to the European family. This would have been true of Brexit alone, but now we contend with a triple threat of crises which test our community of nations in ways which seemed unimaginable a few years ago. Today, Europe and the world emerge from a pandemic that has resulted in heartbreaking loss of life and unprecedented disruption to European health systems, economies and communities. The cost-of-living crisis and energy prices have workers, families and businesses reeling as inflation soars to levels not seen for decades. While Russia's criminal, brutal invasion of Ukraine has resulted in the greatest displacement of people in Europe since the Second World War, the outbreak of conflict in Europe reminds us that peace, self-determination and sovereignty are precious and can never be taken for granted. Ireland stands with Ukraine as its people fight for the very survival of their nation. Sinn Féin has repeatedly called on the Government to expel the Russian ambassador from Ireland as he continues to act as a propagandist for military aggression and savage war crimes. The Government has said it will expel Mr. Filatov only as part of an EU-wide initiative. In that case such a position should be proposed and advanced by the Taoiseach and the Minister at European Council meetings. Of course, diplomacy must always be the goal, but diplomacy can work only with those who embrace it. Ireland should not be a haven for so-called diplomats who have turned their faces against diplomacy in favour of brutality and the violation of international law.

Despite the difficulties created, the people of the European Union have shown their resolve in supporting necessary economic sanctions against Russia. European governments should have similar resolve in not allowing mouthpieces for Russia's barbaric invasion to remain in situ. The journey to peace and the resolution of conflict can have only one credible starting point. Vladimir Putin must end his war and immediately withdraw his military from Ukraine. As thousands of Ukrainian families seek refuge, the people of Ireland are living the European value of solidarity. They have been welcoming and generous. We must do everything we can to meet this humanitarian crisis.

The challenge must kick-start a long-overdue emergency response from the Government to deliver for everyone in housing need. The Government has failed spectacularly to get to grips with a housing crisis that defined life in Ireland long before the war in Ukraine, Covid and Brexit. The time for a radical change in direction is now. We urgently need an ambitious housing plan that leaves no family or person behind. Workers, families and businesses across Europe are being hammered by a cost-of-living crisis and, in particular, skyrocketing fuel and energy costs. Many can no longer afford to heat their homes or fill their cars to get to work. While the European Commission has been proactive in putting in place a toolbox of measures that allow EU member states to keep fuel and electricity prices low, the Irish Government's response and its engagement with the EU have been slow and stuttering.

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