Oireachtas delegation to address Ukrainian parliament

The Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Mark Daly, are expected to travel to Ukraine next week to address its parliament and visit towns devastated by the Russian invasion.

Mr Ó Fearghaíl and Mr Daly will be travelling after receiving an invitation from speaker of the Ukrainian parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk.

In the invitation Mr Stefanchuk said: "I am confident that your visit will become another strong message of solidarity and support to our state at this difficult time of struggle against the aggressor and democratic values."

The trip comes a month after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy delivered a video-link address to the Houses of the Oireachtas.

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Mr Ó Fearghaíl and Mr Daly are to join parliamentarians from one other country and representatives from an international organisation on the visit to the Ukrainian capital.

In addition to visiting the Ukrainian parliament and making their address, the delegation will also visit some of the towns where atrocities have occurred to highlight the need for those responsible to face justice for war crimes.

The Ceann Comhairle said: "since the start of the war, Ireland has welcomed over 20,000 Ukrainian refugees.

“This mission is an opportunity for Ireland to demonstrate its support for the Ukrainian people, its government and its parliament Verkhovna Rada, which is continuing to function to spite unimaginably difficult circumstances.”

He added: “Coming at a time when other countries are starting to reopen their embassies in Kyiv, this trip will be another symbol of normalisation and highlight the amazing resilience of the country’s people and government bodies.”

Mr Ó Fearghaíl said it is an opportunity to “highlight the distinct importance of our parliaments and their democratic resilience”.

Mr Daly said the invitation is a “recognition by the Ukrainian government of the exceptional welcome extended by the people of Ireland to Ukrainian refugees and the assistance and funding that is being provided to those still in the Ukraine”.

He added: “As an EU member country, it’s crucial that Ireland plays a visible and vocal part in demonstrating EU support for Ukraine and for Ireland’s support of Ukraine’s membership of the EU”.