Annie Hoey (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I extend my welcome to the ambassadors of Ukraine and Lithuania. I thank the Ukrainian ambassador especially for showing resolute steadfastness in the face of the untold horror in her home country. She has kept all of us reminded of what continues to happen in Ukraine.

Since Russia's full-scale annexation of the Donetsk region in Ukraine, military deaths have reached 500,000 and civilian deaths over 10,000, including 560 children. This imperialistic invasion is obviously unnecessary and is an abhorrent breach of international law. Others have mentioned the death of Alexei Navalny. That, partnered with the Ukrainian loss at Avdiivka this week certainly puts Putin's cruelty and the regime's intentions of total domination and political tyranny at the forefront of our minds. I note other people have said it is unlikely Putin is going to stop there. Should Ukraine fall to Russia it would probably be incomprehensible that he would stop there, so to fight for Ukrainians’ rights and autonomy is not only of course the right thing to do globally, but it is certainly in the interest of other countries, because who knows where and what that would end up as otherwise?

I pay my respects to Alexei Navalny and the political opposition in Russia which is pushing for peace and democracy under Putin’s oppressive regime. I give my condolences to his wife and mother, who are campaigning tirelessly in the wake of the news of his death - possibly his murder to be quite frank – to maintain opposition support for a peaceful Russian state, which we hope includes respecting Ukraine’s self-determination. Alexei’s death has rightly caused global outrage and continues to highlight the abominable regime in Russia under Putin. When another death is announced all the comments underneath ask what happened and there is almost a lightness to it because it has become so farcical that a country is literally murdering people with impunity. I am very taken by the political opposition in Russia who I am sure have been deeply affected by his death.

I note also that Russia has recently moved to interfere with Ukrainian information systems and spaces in what is obviously a further attempt to undermine morale in the wake of its annexation of the fuel plants in Adviivka.The role of the international community is to maintain support for and instil hope in Ukrainians, whether they are staying here in Ireland or remain in Ukraine. We have a moral responsibility to care for Ukrainian refugees who are seeking a life here, whether they do temporarily or for the medium term or whether they end up staying for the rest of their lives, which will mean generations to come will talk about their families coming here having fled atrocities and war.

We cannot just speak empty words at such a tipping point in this conflict. We need to maintain financial support, provide accommodation supports and improved conditions for those coming here, while working toward the abolition of direct provision for other refugees and people seeking asylum here. We have extended the hand of welcome to Ukrainian people coming here. I would like us to extend that hand a little more enthusiastically and to seek to end the direct provision system. Ukrainians and all people in the country deserve dignity, respect and compassion and we have a moral duty to deliver that. I worry when I see some of the scenes at refugee centres or places tipped to accommodate people who are seeking asylum, Ukrainian or otherwise. As time goes on, those who seek to stop this will not care who it is we are seeking to house here in Ireland. The lines between Ukrainians and people from other countries become thoroughly blurred for those seeking to undermine our democracy, whether by burning buildings or driving people out. I worry about that and the pressure the Government and we, as elected representatives, are under. We need to maintain positivity and a sense of calm. Only last week, I spoke about Drogheda where a number of people are to be housed. I said it is the responsibility of public representatives to keep calm, cool heads and a sense of balance in the face of people who are seeking to exploit situations, whether those involve Ukrainians or migrants from other countries coming here.

Internationally, we all need to use our platform in the EU to champion and facilitate diplomacy and peace agreements. I encourage the Government and the EU to consider additional sanctions against the Russian Federation, although I am struck by comments asking how far sanctions can go. I was struck by Senator Chambers's comment that history shows that Russia waits out these things. It has the manpower to literally wait out sanctions and do whatever it takes until all other resources are exhausted.

Self-determination is a fundamental right of states and Russia has contravened this right in a grossly violent and obvious way. We need to continue to support Ukraine to the greatest degree. As I said, with the ongoing global atrocities of which there are unfortunately far too many, for example, in Gaza, Sudan and other countries, I worry that fatigue is setting in among people. I commend the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian ambassador and all of those who continue to fly the flag for Ukraine and hold us accountable, not just here in Ireland but across the world, in responding to this immoral, incomprehensible and indefensible war on Europe's borders. We should continue to support Ukrainian people not only because of what may come afterwards but also because it is simply the right thing to do.