Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Dublin Live
Dublin Live
World
Ferghal Blaney

Taoiseach warns Ukraine crisis could have 'devastating consequences' for Ireland

Micheal Martin has told his parliamentary party that Russia's warmongering in Ukraine could have "devastating consequences" for Ireland.

The Taoiseach told the private gathering of TDs, Senators and MEPs on Wednesday night that he has asked all government departments to prepare contingency plans in the face of the escalating crisis.

The Taoiseach said: "The situation with Russia is very serious and there is an emergency EU council tomorrow.

"We are seeing mass militarisation and we have seen nothing like this since World War II.

"Everyone in Europe is vulnerable to this aggression and we cannot accept it. Covid has been a tough two years but the severity of this new crisis has shown no signs of abating and a severe escalation will have devastating consequences.

"It will have an impact on global stability, economies and also inflation.

"We hope diplomacy can win out. Sanctions will impact everyone across the EU in different ways but are a necessary response.

"We have asked all departments and agencies to develop contingency plans in response to this crisis.

"We will also show a humanitarian approach to the impact that this will have on migration.

"There is also a cyber security risk that we must monitor. There will be a difficult period ahead."

For all the latest breaking news every day sign up for our free newsletter

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.