Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an historic address to the Dáil and Seanad this morning.
TDs, Senators and several foreign diplomats gathered in the Dáil chamber to hear the historic address by President Zelensky.
MAXWELLS POOL IMAGE
“Ladies and gentlemen, people of Ireland, since the very first day you’ve been supporting the people of Ukraine,” the President said.
“You began doing this right away,”
“Although you are a neutral country, you have not remained neutral regarding the disaster and mishaps that Russia has brought on Ukraine.
“You did not doubt starting helping us, you began doing this right away and although you are a neutral country, you have not remained neutral to the disaster and to the mishaps that Russia has brought to Ukraine.”
“Thank you for the humanitarian and financial support extended to our country and thank you for your caring about Ukrainian people who found shelter on your land,”
In response, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said ‘Ireland is resolute in our solidarity and support for Ukraine.’
“We thank you for your heartfelt, honest address to this parliament this morning,” he said.
“The strength of your commitment, and that of the people of Ukraine, to your country, and to restoring its place as a free, safe, democratic and independent country within the community of nations is both humbling and uplifting.
“Russia will have to live with the shame of what they have done in Ukraine for generations.
“Those responsible will be held to account.
“We are with Ukraine and I am certain that, in the end, Ukraine will prevail.
“We are a militarily neutral country.
“However, we are not politically neutral in the face of war crimes.
“Quite the opposite.
“Our efforts, as a friend and as a partner of Ukraine, are aimed at using all the levers at our disposal to bring a just end to this war; applying international pressure on Russia; pursuing accountability for violations of international law; and meeting the humanitarian needs of those caught now in the midst of this terrible and immoral war.
“Thousands of people have been killed.
“Millions have been driven from their homes.
“This is a humanitarian crisis the likes of which Europe has not seen since the dark years of the Second World War.
“This war touches us all.
“And that is why Ireland is supporting further EU sanctions at EU level – we need a sanctions regime that brings it home to Putin and his regime that he will not, he cannot, succeed.
“And we want the strongest possible sanctions against the Russian Federation and we will pursue those.
“That is why I have welcomed and support Ukraine’s application for EU Membership. I welcome it again this morning in this House.
“It is the democratic right of Ukraine and the people of Ukraine to decide their political orientation.
“You have chosen to apply for EU membership.”