James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste. It is encouraging to hear that progress is being made internationally and that many partners are working with us and others to advance that. Continued Russian aggression is a concern, primarily in Ukraine but also, as the Tánaiste referenced in earlier remarks, in other theatres. I was struck by President Macron's recent remarks that the European Union's response must step up. Of course, he was conciliatory in the early stages. He was almost apologetic for that recently when he perhaps reflected that he was overly optimistic or naive. He also referenced Russian activity in the Balkans and Africa. If anyone has spent any time in the developing world or has any contacts or follows the situation there, Russia is active in the global south and across every underdeveloped country in advancing influence, in infrastructural supports, although China is probably more to the fore on that side, and in undermining and planting a seed for its own ideological status. It is almost as if a new Cold War has taken seed. It is not just in the developing world because this country is also not immune to disinformation or misinformation. We have seen that play out in the West across many elections and political debates. It is a corrosive, toxic presence. Russia's aggression on every front has to be tackled robustly.

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