Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Thomas Byrne, who has responsibility for European affairs. He is doing a lot of work in this area as has Senator Dooley. Like me, Senator Dooley has visited Ukraine, as has Mr. Billy Kelleher, MEP, and the Ceann Comhairle.

It is important for us to have this debate at this particular time in terms of the sanctions that have been taken and the increase in sanctions by the European Union. We all agree that that is important but obviously more can be done because, as has been pointed out time and again, it is the purchase of Russian gas that helps to fund the war against the people in Ukraine, which in of itself is something on which we must reflect.

While we are against the war in Ukraine and will support it as best we can as a neutral country, as Members will be aware the Ukrainian Government has called for more sanctions than what has happened heretofore. During the meetings that we had with the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, Mr. Stefanchuk, whom we hope will address this House at some stage, the Ukrainian Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy called on Ireland to do more. When they address different countries they are aware of all of the issues that relate to Ireland and every particular country so they do not do a single transferable speech. They know what Ireland can and cannot do. They are aware of our expertise in terms of landmines and ordnance from our experience in southern Lebanon and have called for us to assist when the appropriate time comes. There are 300,000 sq. km of land that was occupied by Russian forces, which now must be checked so that means houses and the land itself. The Ukrainians have found that the Russians booby-trapped places as they left as hand grenades have been found in washing machines and children's pianos. Therefore, every house and building must be checked but it will take years to clear 300,000 sq. km of mines.

The Ukrainian Government has asked, and this is a clear ask for Ireland not just to be supporters of Europe, in terms of Ukraine's membership of the European Union, but also for us to be advocates. I and the Ceann Comhairle undertook that we would write to the speakers of the parliaments of other countries in the European Union and we would ask them to ask their members to allow for the accelerated membership of Ukraine into the EU. That is a very good example of ripple diplomacy where by having one meeting one essentially asks for those particular members, and people whom one meets, to become advocates for their cause. Hopefully, members of the Ukrainian Parliament will come to the Seanad as well to address us on this very important war. This war is not just a war for Ukraine but a war for Europe because, as we know, the Russians are on our doorstep in the battle for Ukraine and if they win that battle they will be inside the door next. This is not the end of Russian aggression and is just a continuation.

I welcome the Minister of State and Members to the House. Leading off on the motion for the Fianna Fáil group is Senator Timmy Dooley.