Before proceeding to Deputy Carthy's question, I ask Members to join with me in extending a céad míle fáilte, one hundred thousand welcomes, to my Ukrainian counterpart and friend, H.E. Mr. Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, who joins us in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery today. Mr. Stefanchuk is in Dublin to attend and speak at the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament, which I am honoured to host this year. I also welcome the chief and deputy chief of staff of the Verkhovna Rada, Mr. Shtuchnyi and Mr. Lubkivskyi, and, of course, they are accompanied by our dear friend, Ambassador Larysa Gerasko.
At a time of existential threat and challenge to the Ukrainian people, they have demonstrated exceptional patriotism and enormous courage. They are fortunate during this time to be led by three exceptional men. One might say they are three political novices, but outstanding and exceptional men. One of these is the incomparable Mr. Ruslan Stefanchuk. I ask the Members to give them a round of applause.