LAST UPDATE | 2 Mar 2022

THE DÁIL HAS unanimously passed a motion condemning Russia’s “aggression against Ukraine” and in support of the integrity of Ukraine’s borders. 

The motion was tabled by Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD earlier telling the Dáil this afternoon that she hopes the government’s motion “receives cross-party support”. 

People Before Profit TDs proposed an amendment to the government’s motion on Ukraine which also called for NATO to “deescalate its military presence and withdraw battlegroups and missiles in Eastern Europe”. 

The PBP amendment also called for Ireland to “offer refuge for all people fleeing the war”.

The was tabled by deputies Richard Boyd Barrett, Gino Kenny, Paul Murphy and Bríd Smith but did not received the adequate support to be put to a full vote. 

“As fewer than 10 members have risen in their places, I declare the question defeated,” Leas Ceann Comhairle Catherine Connolly said of the amendment this evening. 

The government’s motion on Ukraine says that Ireland’s Constitution recognises “the sovereign equality and territorial integrity of states” and their right to “determine its relations with other nations”. 

In a reference to Ukraine’s foreign policy, it says the country: “has the same fundamental right as every other sovereign and independent state to choose its own foreign policy and to ensure the security and defence of its own territory”. 

The motion also: 

condemns in the strongest terms Russia’s acts of aggression against Ukraine and reaffirms its unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders;notes that our deep concern about the actions of the Russian leadership does not diminish the friendship and respect we have for ordinary Russians, including those who have built a future in Ireland.

In addition, the motion “rejects” Russia’s recognition of two separatist regions of eastern Ukraine and also calls on the country “reverse the recognition” and “withdraw its military forces”. 

Amendment

The PBP motion which was not voted on had condemned “the arrests and persecution of anti-war protestors by President Putin” and calls for the support of “anti-war movements in Russia and worldwide as the best hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict”. 

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The amendment also: “further notes the risk of nuclear conflict out of Ukraine and calls on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to deescalate its military presence and withdraw battlegroups and missiles in Eastern Europe”. 

A debate on the government’s motion began yesterday with Coveney saying that it is “normal in a healthy democracy” for there to be “differences of emphasis and some differences of view”.  

He added however that in his view the motion “articulates the support from every political party” and that “the text of this motion is straightforward in its support for Ukraine and I urge all Deputies to support it”. 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin also yesterday told the Dáil that deputies who described NATO as “warmongers” should withdraw them.  “They are warmongers,” Boyd Barrett said in response. 

Separately, the Dáil is this evening hearing statements on Amnesty International’s recent report which described Israel’s “apartheid” policies against the Palestinian people.