Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I begin by thanking you, a Chathaoirligh, the Ceann Comhairle, and colleagues throughout the Seanad who have come back with stories from recent trips to Ukraine. They are very important stories of what is happening on the ground. As Senator Dooley outlined, those stories form the basis of this important debate we are having at this juncture in the war. I thank Senator Dooley and the Fianna Fáil Senators for putting forward this very important motion during Private Members’ business tonight. There can be no doubt that the dreadful events surrounding the invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, almost 100 days ago, was an unprovoked act contrary to international law.

In supporting this motion tonight, the Labour Party recognises the right of the great people of Ukraine to democratically elect their own political leaders and for those same people to be able to choose which international organisations they wish to join. The horrific reports of the murder and rape of the Ukrainian population by this occupying force must be the subject of international court scrutiny. The motion before us tonight mentions the deliberate deceit, misreporting and propaganda that we have all listened to over the past 100 days and which it seems has also been used to justify this unlawful invasion in Russia.

The call in the motion that governments around the world maintain and strengthen sanctions on the Russian Federation while continuing the work - accelerated this week by the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, and the Taoiseach in Brussels - to end the imports of Russian oil, gas and coal, which are funding this murder and terror against the Ukrainian people and their homeland, should be supported by all. We have all seen the horrific pictures of the destruction of this once proud country and the bodies of members of this proud nation lying in their streets. It is unacceptable and must be called out as such.

I take the opportunity afforded by this motion to thank the Irish people for their efforts in welcoming the many proud Ukrainians who have come to our shores to find safety among us. Other colleagues have made this point also. I am told recently that some 600 of the almost 30,000 Ukrainian refugees have come to my home county of Kildare. There have been a number of welcoming committees and they continue to meet and assist these displaced people in my county. I thank them most sincerely for their efforts.

My office continues to deal with a number of queries from many of those who have come to our shores. One of the issues raised a number of times with me is the ability of those fleeing the war in Ukraine to continue their education while with us. I note from a recent reply from the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science that work is ongoing and that a national student and researcher help desk is now in place to assist those wishing to continue their education. In addition, there are further issues with those from Ukraine in our primary and secondary school system. I note the Minister for Education is before the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science this evening to answer questions on those issues.

I thank my party leader, Deputy Bacik, for hosting members of Ukrainian Action in Ireland in the Oireachtas this week. They came to show their initial findings of a survey of those who have fled here from Ukraine, which is an important piece of work and important information for us all.

It is important to note that Ireland has had diplomatic relations with Ukraine since 1992 and we established an embassy in Kyiv in August 2021. I am informed that Ukraine has had an embassy in Ireland since 2003. Prior to the almost 30,000 refugees coming to our country from Ukraine, there were already 3,000 Ukrainians living in Ireland before the war.In many cases, these people had put down strong roots within our communities, contributed handsomely to community life in this State and been important and valuable members of their communities. Since this war began, 6.3 million people have fled their homes, a greater number than all the people on this island we all call home. Within Ukraine, 7.7 million people are internally displaced and 10.2 million are in need of food and livelihood assistance. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as of 17 May recorded 7,964 civilian casualties, of which 3,778 were killed and 4,186 injured. This is a war the people of Ukraine did not want and one that has changed and devastated their country for a long time. It may also have changed the face of Europe, an outcome we will all have to deal with. I commend Fianna Fáil Senators on bringing forward this motion. The Labour Party fully supports it.