Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I completely support the motion. In a way I regret that it is needed. It has certainly been a very long two years and quite horrific. There are invitations in and I have already committed to events on the weekend of 24 February. As of today, how many thousands are dead? How many homes have been destroyed? How many lives have been completely and utterly destroyed? While we are all reeling at the horror of Gaza, Ukraine has been put to the side and forgotten about.

My few words today will be to remember that. We must remember that today people's homes will be attacked. Today there is uncertainty. In the wider global decision-making and the situation between the two Houses in the United States of America over providing funding and support for Ukraine, we must remember the whole feeling that the people of Ukraine are standing up to Russia. If they do not, then who is next?

We have already felt the economic impact on our country and on western Europe, including potential shortages of food. The price paid for Russian murder in Ukraine is horrifically high. Are there some things we could do a little bit better? Absolutely, yes, there are but I cannot move away from the fact that this day two years ago, on 15 February, I was on calls and in meetings where people were saying, "No, they won't actually come across the border, they won't actually do it". However, I have sat as people have wept about their loved ones who were killed in Ukraine and about their fine men who are defending their right to democracy and the right of a country to its autonomy and self-determination.It is regrettable that the temporary protection directive had to be extended, as is the fact that our interventions and supports as a country in response to that had to be extended. However, we have to make this decision today because there are people whose lives are at risk on a daily basis in what is a horrific intrusion and attack on the country of Ukraine by Russia. We can never move away from just how appalling and horrific that is.