Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise to Senators for having had to leave for approximately half an hour during this debate. I assure them it was for a good reason relating to some of our consular interests in Ukraine. We are trying to work with families involved in very complex surrogacy cases in Kyiv at the moment and to put in place arrangements for them, which is very challenging in these circumstances.

I will respond to a number of issues. I was not here for the contribution that some Members have spoken about but, to make it clear for anybody who has not been listening to what we have been saying for the past week or so, Ireland is on the side of Ukraine and we are unapologetic about that.