John Whelan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

As the Seanad commences its working week, the unfolding crisis in Ukraine may not seem to be the most pressing issue facing Irish people. It is, however, one of the most serious threats to peace in Europe and one of the gravest crises facing Ireland and the European Union since we joined the European Economic Community in the early 1970s. I commend the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, and his EU counterparts on their early intervention in the crisis and strong words of condemnation. I hope the crisis will not require anything other than condemnation as Europe could be quickly sucked into a most murderous affair. There is no question that Crimea has been annexed by Russia, which has launched a de facto invasion of a sovereign country.

While Ukraine may appear remote, the country is on our doorstep. Two years ago, thousands of Irish soccer fans attended soccer matches in Poland and Ukraine. We cannot take this development lightly or turn a blind eye to it. The last time such an event occurred in Europe, it had serious consequences. We cannot allow the matter to escalate further. I ask the Leader to invite the Tánaiste before the House to set out what programme of action and which sanctions the European Union has in mind to send a message to President Vladimir Putin that what has occurred in Ukraine is an affront to democracy and freedom and not acceptable under any circumstances. President Putin may regard the notice of the Irish Seanad in much the same way as the Tsar treated the attention of the Skibbereen Eagle all those years ago. I doubt he is quaking in his boots.

Ireland's proud role in peacekeeping under the banner of the United Nations stretches from engagements in Congo, Lebanon and Cyprus to the current deployment on the Golan Heights in Syria.

Ireland has a role to play and has a credible voice in the context of peacekeeping and intervention. It is vital that no mother's son, regardless of whether he is wearing a Russian or a Ukrainian uniform, be lost in the despicable series of events playing out on our TV screens. What is happening is far too dangerous and we cannot take it lightly. We cannot engage in cherry-picking in respect of the aspects of democracy which appeal to us. I earnestly appeal to the Leader to invite the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to come before the House to set out his Department's stall and indicate the role he intends to play. The Tánaiste is due to meet the Russian ambassador this evening - he could also brief us on this matter if he comes before the House - in order to reprimand him and outline, in no uncertain terms, our opposition to the events unfolding in Ukraine.