Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose to share time with my colleague Deputy Devlin. I will take six minutes and he will take four. I welcome H.E. Larysa Gerasko. She has shown incredible friendship to many Members of these Houses and to the people of Ireland. I also welcome the visitors from Ukrainian communities all over Ireland who are in the Public Gallery. We need to acknowledge the contribution that so many Ukrainians are making to all of our communities. We must continue to build on that friendship.`

In concluding his remarks to the joint sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas on 6 April 2022, President Zelenskyy stated: "Let us bring our efforts together and show that, jointly, Ukraine and Ireland can do much more than the biggest country in the world was trying to destroy." That spirit of solidarity between Ireland and Ukraine should continue. The question we must ask on this day on which three years since Russia's brutal invasion - and let us be clear, as the Minister of State said, it was Russia that was entirely responsible - is what more can we do. I suggest that we invite President Zelenskyy to again address a joint sitting of the Houses. This would allow us to again express solidarity and to hear directly from the very brave President of Ukraine.

Ireland is known for the exercise of its soft power. In a couple of weeks, the Taoiseach will meet the President of the United States. In diplomatic terms, it is critical that we speak to those with whom we disagree and continue to engage with them. I agree with colleagues that there are many issues on which we disagree with the United States, but I am quite confident that the Taoiseach will raise the situation in Ukraine and Ireland's continued support for that country with President Trump and Members of Congress.

The Tánaiste has already outlined that we should reiterate our support for Ukraine's sovereign right to be able to join the European Union. It should be remembered that during Ireland's Presidency of the EU in 1990, German reunification happened. In 2004, we witnessed the most extensive enlargement of the EU when ten countries joined. I hope that during our Presidency in the latter half of 2026, considerable moves will be made towards Ukraine's future membership of the EU.

It is important that the EU express solidarity at this time, not just with our friends in Ukraine but also with many of the countries of central and eastern Europe that have been warning us of the Russian threat for many years. Perhaps those of us in a more comfortable position were not listening. I was very taken by Deputy Robert O'Donoghue's very measured and considered contribution in which he referred to changes in the global world order presenting a challenge to all of us. This does present a challenge for these Houses on issues of defence and security. It means that we need to be alert to the challenges that we face.

It should not be forgotten that the cyberattack on the health service at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic came from Russia. We need to remember that Russian vessels are arriving in Irish waters unannounced. These are the kinds of challenges that we will have to face. I say to those who criticise countries in central and eastern Europe for their defence spending that we must be much more realistic about what needs to be done. They are talking about spending up to 5% on defence. Of the Russian Federation's total expenditure last year, 40% was on defence and security. Of course, these countries will have to up their game when it comes to defence.

I find it rich that the leader of Sinn Féin turned these statements on Ukraine into an attack on the Government. We all know how Sinn Féin's MEPs have consistently voted in support of Russia. As far as I am concerned, people on this side of the House will not take lectures from the leader of Sinn Féin, who last week eulogised an individual involved in the killing of a member of the Defence Forces.

This country will always show solidarity with the people of Ukraine. We will always put the defence and security of this country first. All of those from Ukraine who are here, will continue to be welcome and will continue to have the support of the Government on Ukraine's path to membership of the EU. Ukraine will continue to have our friendship and support. We also express this support to the Baltic states, Poland and the other countries that border Ukraine. This is a really important debate, and the message from this House has to continue to be Slava Ukraini.

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