Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Tá áthas orm bheith sa Seanad anocht. Russia's shocking, illegal invasion of Ukraine - a further invasion of Ukraine, of course - which started on 24 February, is a profound event with numerous implications for the entire world. I thank Senator Dooley for all his work, particularly on the political front with political parties in Ukraine who have been advancing the cause of democracy there in recent years. I am glad he is organising for a number of them to be in Ireland this weekend at the ALDE Party Congress Dublin 2022, an extremely important event for the people of Ukraine, especially the Servant of the People party, which I expect will be admitted to membership of the ALDE party.

Ireland has been united and everybody has agreed we should call for peace. We have called in all relevant forums for Russia to withdraw its troops immediately from the sovereign territory of Ukraine. Ireland has always been ready to support meaningful dialogue which could deliver peace. We commend the Ukrainian Government's willingness to participate in dialogue while simultaneously defending its country from Russia's unjustifiable military aggression.

Achieving an end to Russia's violence and to the grave humanitarian consequences it has created is an important priority. However, pursuing peace never means we neglect the need to see justice done. Peace and justice reinforce each other.