Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim céad míle fáilte chuig an gcomhshuí speisialta seo de Dháil Éireann agus Sheanad Éireann roimh an Uachtarán Metsola. Is pribhléid agus onóir mhór dúinn go bhfuil sí anseo linn ag ceiliúradh 50 bliain de bhallraíocht na hÉireann san Aontas Eorpach ón uair a chaith pobal na tíre seo vóta sa reifreann ar 10 Bealtaine 1972. Táimid fíorbhuíoch den Uachtarán as ucht a ceannaireachta san Eoraip, as a cuid oibre ar fad agus as an tacaíocht leanúnach a thugann sí don tír seo.

It was my great honour to address the European Parliament last June. It was a special and moving occasion on which to reflect on our 50 years of membership of the European Union and also to celebrate the life and achievements of the great Irish parliamentarian, peacemaker and committed European, John Hume, whose bust we together unveiled.

Like the Parliament over which President Metsola presides, this Parliament stands in full solidarity with Ukraine. Russia's illegal and immoral aggression against its peaceful neighbour represents an horrific and violent assault. The impact on the Ukrainian people has been devastating and truly shocking. When I visited President Zelenskyy in Kyiv in July, I heard first-hand civilian accounts of the brutality and violence visited upon Ukrainian men, women and children by occupying Russian forces. The wanton destruction, including the targeting of nuclear facilities and other energy and civilian infrastructure, shows Putin's Russia behaving as a rogue state. The impact of this aggression has reached far beyond Ukraine. The energy crisis and its impact on the cost of living is as keenly felt in homes and businesses here in Ireland as it is in homes and businesses throughout the European Union. However, in the face of all of this, the support and solidarity of the Irish people has been truly inspirational. In the fact of this destruction and devastation, they have opened their communities, their homes and their hearts to more than 72,000 people who were forced to flee the war. We remain unswerving in our political support for Ukraine and in championing its path towards membership of the European Union.

In this Parliament, as in President Metsola's, we have loud debates which include a full range of opinions. However, let there be no doubt about where the Irish people stand with regard to the European Union and our own membership. The Eurobarometer report earlier this year showed that 71% of Irish citizens hold a positive view of the European Union. This is the highest figure recorded and significantly higher than the EU 27 average of 44%. It also found that 88% of Irish citizens were optimistic about the future of the European Union. However, we must never take this support for granted. We must continue to seek and embrace ways to engage citizens, especially our young people, on the aims and benefits of this great Union. We must continue to have a positive agenda of seeking ways to make our Union stronger and more effective.

I thank President Metsola for her visit today, for her ongoing solidarity with Ireland and that of her Parliament in respect of Brexit and for her distinguished contribution in shaping the European Union's future. Go raibh míle maith agat.

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