Sharon Keogan: Supports Ukraine, urges anti-corruption first
Sharon Keogan addressed President Zelensky's visit to Ireland, expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people while refusing to attend the Oireachtas address over concerns about corruption. She praised Ireland's sanctuary for over 120,000 Ukrainians and demanded accountability before further economic ties and spending.
Context of the visit
Sharon Keogan acknowledged the historic nature of President Zelensky's visit and affirmed that Ireland should stand in solidarity with Ukrainians in the face of Russian aggression. She underscored the need to condemn Russian brutality even as other concerns are raised.
Irish sanctuary and community contributions
Keogan noted that Ireland has offered sanctuary to over 120,000 Ukrainians since 2022, with 85,000 still living in the country. She said many have contributed through hard work and recounted her own constituency experience helping arrivals to find support and integrate.
Allegations of corruption in Ukraine
The speaker highlighted recent events including the resignation of Andriy Yermak following raids linked to what is described as the largest corruption probe in Ukrainian history - an alleged 100 million embezzlement scheme in the energy sector. She cited Transparency International's ranking of Ukraine among the most corrupt states in Europe and warned that these are not isolated incidents.
Decision not to attend Oireachtas address and funding concerns
Keogan stated she chose not to attend the address to the Oireachtas, arguing that Ireland must demand accountability before deepening economic ties. She pointed out that Ireland is pledging another 100 million in non-lethal military support and 25 million for energy needs, stressing that this is taxpayers' money.
Call for integrity and governance
The speech concluded with an appeal that standing with Ukraine must also mean standing for integrity and good governance, and a call for robust anti-corruption measures before extending further support.
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I want to acknowledge the historic nature of today's visit by President Zelensky to Ireland. It is right that we stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people in the face of Russians' aggression. Ireland has offered sanctuary to over 120,000 Ukrainians since 2022, 85,000 still living here today. And that is something we can be proud of. So many Ukrainians have come to Ireland for sanctuary, and while here they have contributed to our society through their hard work. I have worked first-hand in helping those who arrived in my constituency to find support and integrate. But I have heard the same stories from so many of them, stories of having to pay extortionate and, in some cases, ruinous bribes to officials simply to be allowed to leave. We must stand against this corruption, especially when it harms their own war efforts and the lives of their own civilians and even their own combatants. In recent days, we have witnessed the resignation of Andriy Yermak, one of President Zelensky's closest aides, following raids linked to what is described as the largest corruption probe in Ukrainian history, an alleged 100 million embezzlement scheme in the energy sector. This is not an isolated incident. Transparency international ranks Ukraine among the most corrupt states in Europe. I have chosen not to attend the address to the Oireachtas this afternoon. Why? Because while we rightly condemn Russians' brutality, we cannot ignore the scale of corruption within Ukraine's own institution. Ireland is pledging another 100 million in non-lethal military support and 25 million for energy needs today. This is taxpayers' money. Before we deepen economic ties, we must demand accountability and robust anti-corruption measures. Standing with Ukraine must also mean standing for integrity and good governance. Go raibh maigat. Go raibh maigat. Go raibh maigat.
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