Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join other Senators in expressing my abhorrence at what is happening in Ukraine. It is obvious to see. I am tremendously proud of Ireland's reaction. I would say we are hamstrung on one level because of our military neutrality and non-alignment. That is actually appropriate. I do not want Ireland to shed its military non-alignment. It is a tremendously important part of our polity. Looking at what Ireland has done to respond to this and the tangible actions taken, for starters, sending a very clear message to people in Ukraine that they are welcome here is an incredibly important gesture. I had many conversations with the Minister for Justice over the weekend about what that means. It has already been mentioned in the debate that people will be able to access Ireland even if they do not have a Ukrainian passport. A driving licence will suffice. These are important and tangible measures that show the depth of feeling in this country for the people of Ukraine.

I have the privilege of being counsel before the International Criminal Court, ICC. I particularly want to acknowledge the steps taken by Karim Khan as prosecutor of the ICC, which made a very clear statement of the ICC's intentions in terms of Russia and Belarus. I am aware that the Minister mentioned it in the course of his remarks. I praise the Lithuanian Prime Minister for taking the step of making a complaint to the ICC so that it can begin an investigation. There should be nowhere to hide for Putin and his allies, and Lukashenko and his cronies. They must have nowhere to go when the violence ceases - and it will cease, eventually. The question is how many people are going to die before that happens. How many communities and lives will be destroyed before that happens? Whatever happens, those people who are involved in it must understand that there will be nowhere for them to hide when it comes to an end.

The question of where Ireland stands was asked already in the course of this debate. To my mind, there is absolutely no doubt about it. I am astonished by how some people have used this crisis as a political point-scoring opportunity. One Senator made a speech today that was used really to needle at the Minister of Defence about defence spending, which has nothing to do with this debate. The Senator asked if Ireland is on Russia's side. That is an extraordinary comment. Last week, I took part in a radio debate against a Deputy from another party, People Before Profit, which one academic has renamed "Putin Before People". The Deputy essentially blamed the situation on NATO. I am not an apologist for NATO, but this is the fault of nobody but Vladimir Putin. It is about his greed and his avarice for power and domination. That is what is at the heart of the matter. No blame should be apportioned to the Ukrainian people or any other group.

I am very proud of the steps Ireland has taken so far. I wish the Minister well in the enormous work that comes from now, particularly in relation to our role on the UN Security Council. I commend the Minister on his work to date. Let us keep up the good work.