Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Keogan and a number of other colleagues who organised a very successful coffee morning in aid of Ukraine earlier. The event reflected the enormous cross-party support for the humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross and many others.

This year marks 50 years of Ireland's membership of the European Union. In that context, I call for a debate on the future of Europe which also celebrates that milestone. Ireland's EU membership has allowed us to step out from the shadow of our nearest neighbour, to prosper economically and socially and to take our place among the nations of the world. In celebrating that, we also need to look at how we can support Ukraine and the other countries of central and eastern Europe that want to become members of the EU. We must do whatever we can to assist Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, all of which have now applied for membership, as well as those countries in the Balkans that want to accede. Given our experience of membership of the EU, we should assist them in every way that we can. As part of that debate, we must also include the question of our Common Security and Defence Policy. We must co-operate closely with our friends in the other non-aligned countries of Finland, Sweden and Austria. We can learn from their experiences and share their views. In fact, a closer partnership with those other non-aligned countries in the EU will be important.

I also want to acknowledge that my local radio station, South East Radio, and the Wexford Peoplenewspaper group have organised a day to recognise the contribution of the people of Ukraine to Ireland and to highlight the impact of the abominable Russian invasion on the people of Ukraine.

On a separate issue, I welcome the Minister for Education's plan to appoint a representative of the Irish Second-Level Students Union, ISSU, to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. The ISSU has grown in strength in recent years and was particularly active on some of the challenges around the leaving certificate in the last year or two. The union has shown itself to be a very professional and capable body. I have always advocated for strong student representation at decision-making tables and this move on the part of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, is very welcome.