Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I offer my sympathies and condolences to the Murphy family and to Senator Paul Daly and his family as well. It is a sad time for them. It is a sad time for our country, for Europe and for the world. Later this evening we will have statements on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I agree with Senator McDowell and wholly endorse his call for us not just to have statements but to have a unanimously agreed motion from this House utterly condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the brutality and inhumanity that Russia is perpetrating on the Ukrainian people and welcoming and endorsing Ukraine's candidacy for membership of the European Union.

In the aftermath of the Second World War visionary leaders, politicians, lawyers and resistance fighters came together to start the European Union. They had shared values of peace and wanted a Europe that was peaceful, prosperous and where solidarity was real. Those are values we all share. Whatever our differences may be at other times I believe that we all share an ambition for a peaceful and sustainable Europe. I hope there can be a unanimous endorsement tonight of a motion from this House welcoming and supporting Ukraine's candidacy.

In the last six days more than 600,000 Ukrainians crossed the borders towards the European Union. This war is so depressing, so last century, outdated, destructive and inhumane.I think of the fathers, sons and brothers remaining. I heard Ukrainian men are travelling from Cork to fly back. They are fighting for their lives, for their land and for freedom. We need to support them and I believe that this House has a duty to pass a motion tonight.