Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to contribute to the debate, while I am disappointed at the way it has transpired. I will certainly support the amendment moved by an Teachta Pringle. We have welcomed approximately 70,000 to 75,000 Ukrainian refugees and daoine ar fud na tíre have opened their arms, houses and communities, in the sense of a meitheal, to support our colleagues from Ukraine who are fleeing a most heinous and desperate war. I remember bringing the Ukrainian ambassador, at my invitation, to Cahir to meet some of the Ukrainian refugees and, indeed, the páistí ag foghlaim an Bhéarla. There is a crowd in Cahir, Fáilte Isteach, made up of volunteer teachers who are immersing them in and introducing them to the community.

However, I have considerable concerns about the way we have seemingly just supported one side of this war, carte blanche. I know the Tánaiste was here, but he is not here now and he should be here listening to this, because, when he was Taoiseach, he had tunnel vision the whole time. Ireland's neutrality, under Article 29 of Bunreacht na hÉireann, has been valued and respected ar fud an domhain. It has been respected throughout the world, but I think the Tánaiste said here one day that we had an outdated sense of neutrality. I do not believe, for one minute, that it is outdated. People have not been consulted. This is a made-up Government that did not get a majority at the time of an election. It was cobbled together. The Government is together and that is fine, but the people should be consulted, because we are a sovereign small nation. We have played an immense role throughout the world in peacekeeping all over the world, ever since the time of Congo. We have a presence in Lebanon and elsewhere.

We have dived in and bitten off more than we can chew. One would think we were herculean giants with what we are doing here when, really, we can do very little apart from humanitarian aid and supports. I also had concerns about the invasion in Iraq by the forces and about the slaughter and genocide that is going on in Nigeria and many African countries. We say very little about many places such as those. We have no emotion or engagement. Skin colour must be the discrimination behind that. Israel is another one. I have considerable concerns about it. I will not be supporting the motion. I will support Deputy Pringle's amendment.

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