Before calling on the Leader of the Fianna Fáil group to respond to the Order of Business I welcome the ambassador from Portugal to the House today. The Portuguese National Day is a moment when the country celebrates one of its heroes who is not a warrior as the ambassador pointed out, but a poet. We have had some famous poets in our Seanad, notably W. B. Yeats. The poet is Luís de Camões and the anniversary of his death in 1580 is the grounds for the celebration of the national day of Portugal. His epic poem, whic…

I call Senator Maria Byrne. I thank her for bringing the passing of former Senator Mary Jackman to the notice of the House.

The Senator has to be sure that he is using the word "alleged" if he is talking about corruption.

It is about alleged corruption. It can only be proven as corruption in a court of law.

I thank the Senator.

I thank the Senator for the invitation. Before I call the next speaker, I welcome Nicolas Coerver, who is a student at Boston College and is here with Senator Byrne. I hope he enjoys his time here in the Seanad.

I welcome students from Gaelscoil an Bhradáin Feasa. I hope they enjoy their time in Seanad Éireann as we celebrate our 100th birthday. Speaking of which, today is also the birthday of the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, although he is not yet 100. When they leave later they can wish him a happy breith lá. The Minister of State's son also goes to the school. I thank the students for visiting us during our Order of Business.

The Senator is still a young person.

Amendments Nos. 105 and 106 are related and may be discussed together.

Senator-----

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Thomas Byrne, who has responsibility for European affairs. He is doing a lot of work in this area as has Senator Dooley. Like me, Senator Dooley has visited Ukraine, as has Mr. Billy Kelleher, MEP, and the Ceann Comhairle. It is important for us to have this debate at this particular time in terms of the sanctions that have been taken and the increase in sanctions by the European Union. We all agree that that is important but obviously mor…

I welcome to the Gallery the leader of the Labour Party, Deputy Bacik. She is welcome back to Seanad Éireann, albeit temporarily. I am sure she does not wish to come back permanently any time soon but we are always delighted when she visits on occasions like this. It is an issue I am sure she would be in the middle of if she were still in the Seanad, but I know she is championing the cause in Dáil Éireann. We are thankful for her presence.

I thank the Minister of State for his contribution and his continued work in this area. I thank the Government for its leadership in Europe on this issue. Ireland is one of the few countries in Europe that has never invaded another and we know what it is like to be in Ukraine's position. Therefore, we know what it is like to fight for our very survival as a country and a nation. That is why we stand with the people of Ukraine.

I thank the Senator for his leadership in putting forward that motion and getting colleagues across the House to support this important issue. The longer the war goes on, it may leave the public consciousness because it will receive less coverage but it is nonetheless a war in which Europe must support Ukraine to win. That can only be done if we ensure Ukraine has the resources and the backing of Europe in all respects, including financially. It must be supported to ensure this war does not end up inside Europe's o…

Amendment No. 115 has been ruled out of order.

Amendments Nos. 117 and 118 have been ruled out of order.

Amendments Nos. 121 to 123, inclusive, have been ruled of out of order.

Amendment No. 127 has been ruled out of order.

Amendment No. 128 has been ruled out of order as it represents a potential charge on the Revenue.

Amendment No. 129 has been ruled out of order.