I want to be clear from the outset that I support the right of Ukraine and Moldova to develop, prosper and integrate, but I have serious concerns about this Government's Presidency. The Taoiseach is on record as stating that Ukraine belongs in the EU. As we take up the Presidency, it is the Government's stated ambition to make historic progress on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova. I condemn Russia's actions in relation to the war in Ukraine. Precisely because I condemn them and believe in peace, I believe we should be cautious about fast-tracking the accession of Ukraine and Moldova into the European Union. The timing is critical. Ukraine is at war. Many decades ago, during the Cuban missile crisis, it was unthinkable to the US and its allies to have missiles belonging to the USSR in Cuba. It is a similar context for Russia. It is hypervigilant - paranoid, even - about western states encroaching on its borders. That needs to be considered but the Government has not considered it. The European people have never been consulted on this massive change to the European Union.

Sentiment score: -0.14