Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas. A Cheann Comhairle, we have been honoured to listen to President Zelenskyy's powerful address on behalf of his people today. On behalf of the Labour Party I pay tribute to his immense courage under fire and I also want to pay special tribute to our friend, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Larysa Gerasko, for her steadfast advocacy on behalf of her country. Fáilte romhat, Ambassador.

As the brutal Russian invasion continues, we learned this week about the carrying out of horrific war crimes in Bucha, about the ongoing and appalling siege of civilians in Mariupol and the atrocities that have been committed by Russian forces across the Ambassador's peaceful and democratic country.

These reports have horrified us all and show the need for an intensification of our collective response. While we in the Labour Party welcome the news of a fifth round of EU sanctions, and last week welcomed the expulsion of four diplomatic staff from the Russian embassy here, we believe now that stronger measures need to be taken. Indeed, President Zelenskyy has called upon us to do that and has told us that our leadership can make a difference. We are calling now for the expulsion of the Russian ambassador from Ireland as he continues to mount brazen denials of the truth of what is happening in Ukraine and what his government is doing to the people of Ukraine.