Seanad debates

Wednesday, 6 April 2022

Comhshuí de Dháil Éireann agus de Sheanad Éireann - Joint Sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas - Address by H.E. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine

 

9:50 am

Photo of Cathal BerryCathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am very grateful to contribute to this historic debate on behalf of my colleagues in the Regional Group. I would like to welcome the ambassador of Ukraine, H.E. Ms Larysa Gerasko, to the Chamber. I congratulate her armed forces on repelling the Russian attack against her capital city. When we consider the atrocities that took place in Bucha only a few days ago, we shudder to think what would have occurred had Kyiv fallen to the Russians.

I would also like to single out two ambassadors in the Gallery, the Finnish and Swedish ambassadors, both also representing military neutral states, but who recognised from the get-go the extent of the treachery that was about to unfold and provided thousands of defensive, protective anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons to Ukraine to protect its cities and a civilian population.

I would also like to single out the French ambassador in the Gallery for President Macron’s efforts to achieve a ceasefire and humanitarian access to Mariupol, which our present-day generation’s Srebenica, whether we accept it or not. It is not surprising that President Macron’s overtures have been turned down and have been unsuccessful.

Every single person in this Chamber wants peace and end to the conflict. However, unfortunately, the Russians do not want a diplomatic solution at this time. They want a military solution. They only way we can bring this to the negotiation table – it is unpalatable – is to defeat the Russian army in Ukraine. That is just the reality. On that basis, I very much welcome the provision of military stores direct from Irish Defence Forces stores to the Ukrainian defence forces. It is absolutely important.

Following on from President Zelenskyy’s address, he is looking for more. He is looking for more leadership.One hour's drive from here in the Curragh Camp, there are hundreds of anti-tank rockets nearing the end of their shelf life that could very easily be transferred to the Ukraine defence forces. The reason that is so important is that we know the Russians are preparing a massive offensive in the east at the moment and that this offensive is likely to be successful but it does not have to be this way. We have learned from the successful defence of Kyiv that the future is not written in stone. It has yet to be decided and it will be determined not just by fate but by decisions and actions of the people in this Chamber over the next few days. For precisely those reasons, I urge the Taoiseach to send protective, defensive weapons to Ukraine in order that we stop the Russian advance, that we drag Russia to the negotiating table and that together we alter the course of history.Slava Ukraini.

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