Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ambassador Gerasko to the Oireachtas today. I thank President Zelenskyy for his courage, leadership and ability to inspire confidence and hope in the Ukrainian people. Most especially, I thank him and the Ukrainian people for their defence of liberal democracy, something too many of us take for granted.

We sit comfortably in our seats in Dáil Éireann today as Ukrainian members of Parliament vow to defend their country and their people by all means necessary. There could not be a greater contrast. When this debate ends, we will go back to our offices and our lives while members of the Ukrainian Parliament and the Ukrainian people stare down the face of Russian aggression and terror, as they remember and mourn those who have been tortured, raped, executed and murdered, as they prepare to further defend their homeland.

However, I believe we will carry the words of President Zelenskyy with us as we seek to continue with and expand our response and assistance to Ukraine. For many hundreds of years geography was not our friend in Ireland; now it is, as we sit on the western flank of the EU, part of the greatest peace project ever. In that context I strongly support EU membership for Ukraine. As a former member of the European Parliament I met many Ukrainians who looked to the EU as a place where they belonged and I know Ireland supports that stance. It would be beyond selfish of us to share in the benefits and security of EU membership, yet deny it to the Ukrainian people.

To all Ukrainians, I say we have an old tradition in Ireland of lighting a candle in the window of our homes to show hospitality and welcome to the stranger. Metaphorically speaking, many tens of thousands of those candles have been lit and are burning in Irish homes and hearts as we welcome Ukrainians fleeing war and terror into our homes and our communities. I am wearing a Sligo badge below my badge depicting the Irish and Ukrainian flags as a symbol of our common humanity and connectedness, as we welcome more than 130 Ukrainians to Sligo in these days.

The huge fundraising efforts and the massive mobilisation of medical and other supplies to Ukraine continue day after day. Government assistance coupled with a massive voluntary effort has forged a chain between Ireland and Ukraine and I believe those strong links will hold. I believe Ireland will not be found wanting in strongly promoting and supporting humanitarian and peace initiatives, because all wars must end and our focus must be with the Ukrainian people in finding a pathway to a lasting peace.