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Seanad Éireann · 2026-04-15

Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad

IND Aubrey McCarthy · University of Dublin

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Summary of this debate

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We are due to commence No. 3 but as the Dáil is having a vote I will ask for a suspension until after the Dáil vote. They are here with the ambassador, who is welcome as well, and the chair of the Ireland-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, Senator McCarthy, who is hosting them here today. I invite Senator McCarthy to say a few words on the record, as he is the chair of the Ireland-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group.

I mentioned during our meeting downstairs that in 2022, when the war broke out in Ukraine and so many Ukrainians came to Ireland, I had the privilege of hosting first of all ten, then 20, then 30 and then 40 of them. I will ask the Acting Leader to propose a suspension of the House until the Dáil vote is concluded. I propose the suspension of the House until the Dáil vote is concluded.

Built by scoring every sentence in the debate on how distinctive its language is, then quoting the highest-scoring ones back word for word and in the order spoken. Nothing is paraphrased or invented — if a sentence appears here, it was said in the chamber. Drawn from 176 words across 5 contributions by 3 speakers.

Most used terms in this debate

How often each word appears across the whole debate, ranked by how distinctive it is to this debate rather than common to all parliamentary language.

ukraine 6
ireland-ukraine 2
vote 5
suspension 3
downstairs 2
dáil 5
friendship 2
hosting 2
mccarthy 2
ukrainians 2
welcome 5
befallen 1

The full debate

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CC Mark Daly

We are due to commence No. 3 but as the Dáil is having a vote I will ask for a suspension until after the Dáil vote. While we are in session, I welcome the delegation from Ukraine. They are most welcome to the Seanad in Ireland. They are here with the ambassador, who is welcome as well, and the chair of the Ireland-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, Senator McCarthy, who is hosting them here today.

I pay particular tribute to the people of Ukraine and President Zelenskyy, who has been a guest in Ireland and has addressed a joint sitting of both Chambers. I also met the President when I was in Kyiv and Bucha. I saw at first hand the horrors that have befallen the people of Ukraine and the bravery they showed when attacked. It is hard to believe how many years ago it is now. We understand what it is to be occupied and to have people try to take over your country, and the acts of violence and genocide that continue to be committed against the people of Ukraine. We welcome them to our Parliament. Hopefully, we will be able to support them during our Presidency of the European Union. I invite Senator McCarthy to say a few words on the record, as he is the chair of the Ireland-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group.

IND Aubrey McCarthy this contribution

Thank you so much for being here today. I mentioned during our meeting downstairs that in 2022, when the war broke out in Ukraine and so many Ukrainians came to Ireland, I had the privilege of hosting first of all ten, then 20, then 30 and then 40 of them. Through the organisation I am involved with, Tiglin, we have over 150 Ukrainians living with us in our community, but not only in our community. They are part of our social fabric, part of the football teams, the social enterprises and are certainly welcome members. As we had the meeting downstairs, it was evident that the Irish people stand behind the people of Ukraine. They certainly have support from this side of the House. We really appreciate them being here today. I thank the Cathaoirleach for welcoming us.

CC Mark Daly

I see the Dáil vote is still going on. I will ask the Acting Leader to propose a suspension of the House until the Dáil vote is concluded.

FF Anne Rabbitte

I propose the suspension of the House until the Dáil vote is concluded.

CC Mark Daly

Is that agreed? Agreed.

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