Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday marked the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At this time, we remember all those who have lost their lives, homes and families in the brutal war that has ensued. We must reaffirm our solidarity with the people Ukraine at this time.

On this sad anniversary, US President Trump joined with Belarus and North Korea at the United Nations, siding with the dictator Vladimir Putin, and voted against a resolution condemning Russia’s brutal war on Ukraine. It was a dark day for the United Nations and an extraordinary change of policy for the US. It is turning its back on European democracies.

While the US goes rogue, we in Ireland must stand firm against despots and warmongers. We in the Labour Party have welcomed the Taoiseach's commitment to continued solidarity with Ukraine in the face of the Russian aggressor. However, I ask that he now take this opportunity to condemn both President Putin and President Trump because the US vote yesterday was a crude reminder of the dark threat to our international rules-based order. Putin has effectively received an endorsement from the US, despite his illegal war. In the Middle East, we are all very conscious that Netanyahu is flagrantly breaching international law with the brutal bombardment and siege of Gaza and with Israel’s tanks now in the occupied West Bank. At this time, we must maintain our support for international law, peacekeeping, humanitarianism and political - not military - solutions to end global conflict.

We understand that proposals are being brought to the Cabinet next month to end the triple lock. This alarming proposed change appears to be a pet project of the Taoiseach. Over several years now, he has sought different ways to remove or undermine the triple lock. We are concerned that ending the triple lock would have an inherent impact on our military neutrality. It would open the door for members of our Defence Forces to participate in foreign conflicts that lack the protection of the blue beret and a United Nations mandate and that would compromise our neutrality. The Taoiseach has denied that this is the case in the past. If that is so, why is this being proposed?

In a changing world, of course we need to discuss Ireland’s defence and security.

We know that military neutrality comes at a cost but our Defence Forces are desperately under-resourced. As the former line Minister the Taoiseach must be embarrassed that members of the Defence Forces have reported having to sleep in their cars because they could not afford to rent a home on their salary. Why not afford decent pay and conditions to those who are defending our country? Why not act now to address the recruitment and retention crisis in the Defence Forces and invest in our defence infrastructure? The reality is that with or without the triple lock Ireland is highly vulnerable to attack and cyber attack. Closer alignment with NATO would not change that but proper investment would. Does the Taoiseach condemn President Trump for his siding with Russia, and his betrayal of Ukraine and European democracy? Will the Taoiseach commit now to retaining the triple lock and addressing Irish security by investing in our Defence Forces?

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