Vincent P Martin (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

In a bombshell allegation made by a senior Tory MP, he has accused No. 10 government sources of blackmailing elected members of parliament. That would potentially strike at the very heart of democracy. It is a timely reminder to never take things for granted and to never become complacent. Maybe it is a time to cherish and celebrate the lack of such allegations in this celebrated democracy but to do so with our eyes wide open, always being prepared to take the steps necessary and to report it to our Government leader, the Cathaoirleach and the forces of law and order to make sure that never ever could even the allegation be made in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

I am conscious also of county councillors who have that huge power of zoning, one of their few powers, and the pressure they must be under in that regard. RTÉ did a documentary some years ago called “The Pressure Zone”. I ask that we keep that in mind and that there is support and access for elected members of local government and central government.

As the Russians seem to be on the cusp of invasion, as is reported, I would question where is the voice of the great EU. We are told it is a celebrated project of peace between former foes who have united people, and that is its greatest achievement. If that voice is effective at the moment, I cannot hear it. It is not loud. The Ukrainian ambassador came to address the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence and said that Ukraine would love to join the family of EU states. I find it disappointing. I am open to correction and maybe there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes, but I have not heard the voice of the EU standing against such threatened aggression, which must be faced head-on.