Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I too welcome Ambassador Gerasko to the House today. As other colleagues have said, it is quite unbelievable that we are talking about this war 24 months on. I remember very vividly, on the morning the invasion took place, listening to the ambassador on the radio. Vladimir Putin was of the view that it would only be a matter of days before he achieved his military ambition. Little did he know about the resilience of Ukraine. I do not believe Ukraine will lose; I just think that at some stage Putin will probably get worn out and the war will fizzle out. We have a long way to go. What worries me is that the resolve displayed by the international community when the invasion first happened is perhaps becoming somewhat diluted. That may be unintentional but with the passage of time, it is amazing how normality can fester and something becomes the narrative and the norm. That is something we very much need to guard against, so that it does not happen to us in this country or to the European Union or the United States.

The next period of world politics is going to be very challenging. There is an election in America later this year that could be defining if it goes the wrong way. There are elections in Europe in June that could certainly tilt the narrative in a certain way. There needs to be very focused determination so that whatever upheavals occur in the democratic world, in those areas where our influence can percolate, we use the very strong voice we have internationally and across the world to ensure that Ukraine is supported in every possible way.

The Ukrainian community in Ireland has made an enormous contribution. Many of them are working. Two years ago, I invited the ambassador to Lisdoonvarna where a significant number of Ukrainians had very quickly relocated. Since then, many of them have moved on. Some went into private accommodation, some are working, some have gone home and some have travelled to other countries. Their contribution is very valuable. We must support and facilitate Ukrainian people who wish to work in this country. They need to be encouraged and welcomed.

The Government must also provide supports to the communities that have gone above and beyond. I know we have the Ukrainian recognition fund, but that needs to be substantially increased so that communities see the benefit in terms of infrastructure and community services and facilities, and so that they can do the right thing in terms of welcoming the Ukrainian people.

I hope we will continue to show the solidarity and support we have so determinedly given over the last two years. I hope in the not-too-distant future we will see this issue resolved in a favourable way for Ukraine.