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

We are calling for strong support for Ukraine's expedited accession to the EU; a full embargo on Russian oil and gas to join with the welcome move on coal; urgent initiation of investigations into Russian war crimes against civilians, including crimes of sexual violence against women about which we are hearing such appalling reports; the speedy passage into law of Deputy Howlin’s Magnitsky legislation that we in the Labour Party pushed for and brought forward in this House last December; the exclusion of remaining Russian banks from the SWIFT system and measures to ensure that secondary sanctions cannot be sidestepped; and a ban on all Russian ships docking in Irish ports in a week when we see worrying reports of a Russian-registered vessel docking in Dublin Port this week.

Let us be clear. Putin has shown that he wants to wipe Ukraine off the map. He wants to abolish Ukraine's culture and its history. Putin must fail and will fail.

At the outset of this illegal and brutal invasion nearly six weeks ago, I called a protest against the Russian Embassy. I called then for the expulsion of the Russian ambassador and I spoke about our solidarity as Irish people with Ukraine. Since then the solidarity here in Ireland has strengthened. We have seen it evident at the funeral of the brave journalist, Pierre Zakrzewski, who died in Ukraine, killed by Russian forces. We have seen it in communities across Ireland who have rolled out such a warm welcome and have offered sanctuary to so many refugees fleeing terror and war in Ukraine. We continue to show that solidarity and it is real. We stand with Ukraine now as you battle barbarism. We will stand with you as Ukraine is rebuilt, as we see the cities of Mariupol, Bucha, Kharkiv and Sumy being rebuilt and as an independent and united Ukraine becomes part of a better, stronger Europe. We stand with you in your current struggles and in your hardship and devastation. We will be with you as you rebuild your country which is so close to our hearts and so close to the future of Europe.We stand with you, Ukraine. Slava Ukraini.