Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We are all talking about Ukraine and rightly so. This morning I woke up at about 3.10 a.m., which is unusual for me because I do not go on morning, noon and night. I went downstairs and had toast and tea, and thought I would go back to bed quickly in order to be back in here. I turned on the BBC and the first thing I saw was Geraldine Byrne Nason, a wonderful Irish public servant who is our permanent representative to the United Nations, live on television at the table for a meeting of the UN. This unfolding catastrophe was being broadcast live into our home. I was proud of Geraldine Byrne Nason, whom I know well. We in Ireland can be very proud of her representation at the UN.

At the same time, Tony Connolly from RTÉ was speaking live, and said, "We are in a fog of war". What better way to describe the uncertainty. Before I slipped up to bed, I changed channel and saw Orla Guerin, another great journalist from Ireland, on the war front togged out in protective clothing. It is important that we remember the journalists on the front line bringing back the story and, it is to be hoped, helping to tell the truth of the terrible travesty happening on part of mainland Europe. That is really important. Our thoughts, words and prayers have to be with the Ukrainian people.

I also want to be conscious of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, of which I am a former member. I know there are Members in these Houses that are members of it and know the important work it does. It is about shining a light of hope for others in a dark place. These are sad, but important, days as members of Europe. I also want to remember the journalists, in particular Orla Guerin and Tony Connolly, and also Geraldine Byrne Nason, who are on the line and, in some way, are the eyes and ears for people in Ireland and around the world.