Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Because of the still constrained nature of the various groups in the Seanad making contributions I did not have a chance yesterday to pay tribute to the former Independent NUI Senator, John A. Murphy. I look forward to the tributes to him in the full course of time. He was a man who was unafraid of telling the truth as he saw it, challenging orthodoxies to enlighten minds. His contributions in these days would have been very valuable. He was unafraid to speak the truth about things and he kept doing it into advanced old age.

With regard to Ukraine I welcome the fact we have had a debate but it needs to be a rolling debate. This is an emergency situation. We need to contribute in the House going forward. Initially it had been scheduled for an hour last night. I was not slotted to speak. It needs to continue. We are all of course united in deploring the dreadful evil of the invasion by Russia of Ukraine and the untold suffering that is being caused. We all fear greatly the full horrors that may unfold unless people are got to the table. It is great that European countries are united. We must all gird ourselves to make sacrifices as citizens of these countries to support all humanitarian activities in support of the Ukrainian people, including those coming here.

It is not a time to question Irish neutrality. It is a time to emphasise Ireland's great tradition in being a voice for peace. What has to happen here is that we must get to an accommodation with Russia that secures Ukraine's future as a prosperous, democratic and neutral nation. In the fullness of time, historians may say the West made a great misstep in holding out the prospect of NATO membership to Ukraine. On one reading it was always on the cards that Russia's response to those kinds of moves would be violent. There is a lot that could be said about that. What we can be unequivocal about now is that what has happened is deplorable. It must be resisted, starting with sanctions, but with a view to getting Russia to the table to get an agreement we can all live with and that will spare Ukrainian people the horrors that may be on the way if we do not get around the table.