The Taoiseach has told the President of Ukraine that Ireland is 'not neutral' in these times, as he promised that Vladimir Putin would be 'held to account' for his actions.
Micheal Martin was speaking in the immediate aftermath of Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address to the joint houses on Thursday morning.
In the address, the Ukrainian president thanked 'every Irish citizen' for their actions since the beginning of the illegal invasion of Ukraine 42 days ago.
READ MORE: Ukraine president tells TDs he is 'grateful for every Irish citizen' in special address to Dail
Addressing both the gathered TDs and Senators and President Zelenskyy, the Taoiseach warned that Putin and his country would live with the "shame" of their actions.
He said: "We heard grave testimony from you [President Zelenskyy] this morning, and we have seen ourselves the most harrowing of images from Bucha, from Irpin, from Mariupol, and from across Ukraine.
"Russia will have to live with the shame of what they have done in Ukraine for generations. Those responsible will be held to account. We are with Ukraine and I am certain in the end, Ukraine will prevail.
"We are a militarily neutral country. However, we are not politically neutral in the face of war crimes. Quite the opposite.
"Our position is informed by the principles that drive our foreign policy – support for international human rights, for humanitarian law and for a rules-based international order. We are not neutral when Russia disregards all of these principles. We are with Ukraine."
Later in his statement, the Taoiseach issued the warning to Vladimir Putin and his regime.
"Thousands of people have been killed. Millions have been driven from their homes. This is a humanitarian crisis the likes of which Europe has not seen since the dark years of the Second World War. This war touches us all.
"Ireland is supporting further EU sanctions at EU level – we need a sanctions regime that brings it home to Putin and his regime that he will not, he cannot, succeed.
"And we want the strongest possible sanctions against the Russian Federation and we will pursue those."
The Taoiseach took time in his speech to speak to the 18,000 people who have arrived here form Ukraine
He said: "Thousands of Ukrainians have arrived in Ireland since the start of the conflict.
"If I may address these words to them - and I know that the Ambassador of Ukraine Larysa Gerasko is here in the gallery for today’s debate. To those who have arrived here from Ukraine, I hope you find in Ireland safe harbour and friendship for as long as you need it.
"Most of you, I know, look forward to the day when you can return to a peaceful and free Ukraine, to the family and friends that you have left behind. That day will come. In the meantime, our home is your home."
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