Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

-----and as a result, what is happening in Carrick-on-Suir has happened in several places in my own part of the world.

I would like to expand slightly on, and ask the Leader a question about, the remarks of my colleague, Senator O'Sullivan, about the Russian overflight. We face an increasingly serious and potentially dangerous stand-off between Russia, the EU and now the United States with hawkish elements in the Obama Administration in recent days calling for the arming of the Ukrainian army or for the supply of arms to the Ukrainian army on the basis that it is using outdated weaponry, in particular anti-tank weaponry dating back to the Soviet-era. Following on these reports, several European Union leaders, including the German Chancellor, the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, whose country refuses to supply arms to Ukraine, and others have said there must be a diplomatic solution to this stand-off. I would like to know exactly where Ireland stands in this regard. I know we are adopting a multilateral approach when it comes to foreign affairs matters but this situation is getting out of control and the militarists in NATO, in the Obama Administration and perhaps in other parts of Europe are beginning to flex their muscles, which could have a potential downside for the future peace and security of Europe.

I would like to know precisely what the Irish position is in regard to the continuing sanctions regime, in particular in light of the newly-elected Greek Prime Minister withholding Greek support until the last minute for an extension of the sanctions regime for a further six months. The Greeks obviously raised issues and asked questions. As a small neutral country on the periphery of Europe and in a situation where a common foreign policy position has not been taken on this, I would like to express my serious concerns about Ireland adopting a position which other larger countries with a militarists tradition might wish to pursue. It is a very serious issue for the Irish people and the continuation of sanctions and of the stand-off, without any form of diplomacy being seen to be engaged in - at least on the surface - between President Putin and the European Union, is not in our best interest nationally.