Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

In replying on behalf of the Government, I absolutely agree with Deputy Harkin that we must be unequivocal in condemning Russian aggression in this war. That is the purpose of the motion. At a meeting of the Business Committee, the possibility of just the Ceann Comhairle making a statement was considered. However, it is better that all groups in Parliament were given a chance to add their voice to this debate. I presume the Ceann Comhairle will have a word or two to say at the end of this debate. It is important that we are clear and direct in this.

I would like to conclude the debate with the point with which the Taoiseach, very appropriately, began it. He said that we are not at war with the Russian people. He cited the great Russian writers, which made me think of a quote from Tolstoy's War and Peace. In the work of great Russian writers, there is always a sense of closeness, despite the geographical distance, to an understanding of human frailty, imperfection and glory. Tolstoy wrote: "War on the other hand is such a terrible thing, that no man, especially a Christian man, has the right to assume the responsibility of starting it." That is what we are condemning here today, the Putin Administration starting a war of invasion against the people of Ukraine. Our motion seeks, in the clearest, simplest and most direct language, to condemn that and to give our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the people of Ukraine. We are saying that the act of invading a sovereign, independent state breaches international law and that it is important that this Parliament stands up for international law. We condemn unequivocally the attacks against civilians and infrastructure, the human rights abuses and the violations of international human rights law. We join with the European Council in its decision of 22 June to grant candidate status for EU membership to Ukraine. The motion continues to address those points in more detail and to set out what could be done about it.

I also absolutely agree with Deputy Bacik. When she said that for her, this is personal, it brought it home to me that we cannot show moral equivalence here and accept amendments. That would utterly dilute and take away from what we singularly seek to achieve here today.

I also agree with Deputy Berry, whose contribution was very useful because it gives hope in what is a dark time, namely, one year into this war. He cited examples of grain being shipped and prisoner exchanges being done which show that peace may be possible if we can get the invading party back onto that track. I also agree with Deputies Brady and Berry when they referred to neighbouring countries like Moldova and others. Their point in that regard was well made.

Deputy Mattie McGrath condemned the Government, as I understand it, for supporting one side. I am afraid I fundamentally disagree with him. In this, there is an aggressor, an invader and we have to stand up and do everything we can, short of providing lethal military support in order to retain our tradition of military neutrality. It is appropriate for us to send rations and helmets and to help to train people to clear mines. I do not see that as undermining our tradition of neutrality. If anything, it strengthens it in this difficult time because it shows that we are willing to support Ukrainians. We are on their side, but we do not intervene in a direct, military or lethal way.

I presume the Ceann Comhairle is not able to speak in support of the Government's motion. I will conclude by saying that this exercise today has been useful. As we approach the one-year anniversary of this war, it is important to stand with the people of Ukraine - those who are in this country and who must be missing their loved ones at home and those on the front line. We bear witness to all of the lives lost and all of the limbs torn apart on all sides in this war. Obviously, we mourn and grieve the loss of life and think of the distraught families on both sides. Those lives have been lost because of the completely unjustifiable decision to invade Ukraine. That decision deserves to be condemned.

Whatever the path to peace, we should not be distracted from the statement of condemnation we are making here today. This war is wrong, and it should stop tomorrow.

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