Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are now approaching 600 days since Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. I hope that this Chamber will invite the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Chamber to talk about the strong and correct support Ireland continues to give to Ukraine. A number of us had the privilege last week of meeting the speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, who was very clear that the people of Ukraine are very thankful for this country's continued support. Ireland's strong support, as exhibited at European level this week, is to be commended. I hope that the Leader will invite the Tánaiste to outline our work in that area to the House.

Strong sanctions have been applied by the European Union. Yale School of Management has monitored this - more than 1,000 companies have pulled out of Russia. I am glad to say any Irish company that could has pulled out of Russia. Unfortunately, some well-known international brands continue to trade in Russia and are trying to skirt around some of the economic sanctions. Some are well-known brands such as Lacoste and Benetton. Other well-known brands, most notably Burger King, keep indicating that they will pull out yet have given no sign of doing so. We need to start highlighting companies that are skirting around economic sanctions for the purpose of profit. Companies that engage in this behaviour should be boycotted. At a European level, given the strong economic sanctions put in place, we must work towards enforcement. This country has a very strong tradition of supporting the people of Ukraine and acting in concert with our European partners, which we must continue to do.