Byront 🇺🇦

Policy guy, political beltway enthusiast, arm Ukraine🇳🇿 🇮🇪

[Cricket Ireland @cricketireland]

𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐄! 💚

Ireland Men have beaten India for the first time in any format ☘️

#BackingGreen | #IREvIND | #FáilteSolar

[UKR Embassy to Ireland @UKRinIRL]

The Embassy of Ukraine to Ireland expresses its serious concern regarding the continued export of alumina from Ireland to the Russian Federation.

According to a trade data, this troubling trade flow has increased significantly, with exports rising from €196 million in 2021 to €318 million in 2025, positioning the Russian Federation as the largest destination for Irish alumina exports and surpassing traditional European partners. This represents the highest level of exports to Russia since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

These figures raise serious concerns, as alumina remains a critical raw material for the production of aluminium, which is extensively used by Russia’s military-industrial complex. Aluminium is used in the manufacture of a wide range of Russian military systems, including Iskander-M ballistic missiles, Tsirkon hypersonic missiles, Kh-101 and Kalibr cruise missiles, as well as Shahed-136/Geran-2 attacks unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The devastating consequences of Russia’s military production continue to be felt daily by the people of Ukraine. Over the past week alone, the Russian Federation has launched more than 2,900 attack drones, nearly 1,560 guided aerial bombs, and more than 150 missiles of various types against Ukrainian cities and communities. Every activity may contribute to sustaining Russia’s industrial and military capacity warrants careful examination.

The Embassy takes note of the ongoing investigation being conducted by the relevant Irish authorities and welcomes the Irish Government’s commitment to establishing all relevant facts. We look forward to the timely conclusion of this process and to any measures deemed necessary on the basis of its findings.

Ukraine fully recognises the importance of protecting jobs, communities, and industrial competitiveness in Ireland and across the European Union. At the same time, Russia’s continued war of aggression requires constant vigilance to ensure that commercial activities do not directly or indirectly contribute to sustaining the military capabilities of a state engaged in a brutal and unprovoked war against a sovereign European nation.

Ukraine highly values its strong partnership with Ireland and deeply appreciates the steadfast support and solidarity demonstrated by the Irish Government and the Irish people since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. We count on Ireland’s continued leadership in supporting Ukraine, strengthening the effectiveness of international sanctions, and ensuring that European resources, technologies, and supply chains cannot be exploited to sustain Russia’s war machine.

The Embassy of Ukraine remains committed to constructive engagement with Irish partners on this important issue in the shared interests of European security, international law, and accountability.

[Andrew Neil @afneil]

The US/Israeli attack on Iran and the widening hostilities in the region are exposing the growing scandal that is Britain’s military capabilities, or lack thereof. We are still in the world’s top 5/6 on defence spending yet:
We don’t have a single warship in the whole of the Mediterranean, despite the eastern Mediterranean becoming part of the theatre of war.
We don’t have a single warship in the Gulf. We have a naval base in Bahrain. But a base with no ships.
We don’t have any subs to deploy. The one active Astute Class sub is in Oz.
We have a handful of fighter jets in Cyprus.
And a smaller handful in Qatar (attached to Qatari airforce).
That’s it. Most of what’s left of the Navy — not even in the top 30 in the world in terms of warships these days — seems to be in repair/maintenance/renovation. Brilliant MoD planning.
Labour/Tories/LibDems who all had a shot at government these past 16 years need to be held to account.
When Ed Davey says Brit expats in the Gulf should pay for UK protection, exactly what protection does he have in mind that would be worth paying for?

[Irish Times Opinion @IrishTimesOpEd]

Finn McRedmond: Ireland is turning itself into chief ‘finger wagger’ on the world stage https://t.co/FjJVxm98fJ

[RTÉ Nationwide @RTENationwide]

Join us for our second special prog on @DublinPortCo
as we delve into the rich history & heritage of Ireland's busiest port on #RTENationwide Wednesday 30th April @RTEOne 7pm @abcassin @Dublin_ie @DublinHour @Irish_Ferries @StenaLine @DublinLive @LovinDublin @VisitDublin @rte RT

[Dublin Port @DublinPortCo]

Something Big is Coming to RTÉ Nationwide... 📺

Starting Monday, 28th April, RTÉ Nationwide will air a three-part special giving viewers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the heart of Ireland’s busiest port.

Experience it for yourself with our Port Tours opening this May!

[BLACKCAPS @BLACKCAPS]

World Champions! 🏆

[Byront 🇺🇦 @byrontrs]

Some thoughts on Ireland from an NZ perspective. Opposites sides of the world, very similar issues…

https://t.co/mBBNirVwK1

[Fastest Pitstop @FastestPitStop]

🚨 | BREAKING: Liam Lawson signs for VCARB with immediate effect

The 22-year-old New Zealander who is also Red Bull’s reserve driver has signed a contract until the end of the season after impressing in both F1 testing and the junior series.

#F1 #Formula1

[Byront 🇺🇦 @byrontrs]

Worth a read if anyone interested in public policy in liberal democracies globally. Lessons here for 🇳🇿 & 🇮🇪

[Sam Bowman @s8mb]

Foundations: Why Britain Has Stagnated.

A new essay by @bswud, @SCP_Hughes & me.

Why the UK's ban on investment in housing, infrastructure and energy is not just a problem. It is *the* problem.

And how fixing it is the defining task of our generation.

https://t.co/N6McRZCOlx

[Byront 🇺🇦 @byrontrs]

@chamfy The high volume of road cones in this short clip is remarkable

[Byront 🇺🇦 @byrontrs]

@chamfy Spittin facts

[Byront 🇺🇦 @byrontrs]

@chamfy He’d go down with the ship

[Byront 🇺🇦 @byrontrs]

@chamfy Heresy

[Byront 🇺🇦 @byrontrs]

Election season in the United Kingdom begins. I think the question is really how big Labour’s majority will be… #westminster

[Byront 🇺🇦 @byrontrs]

@liamkernaghannz The balance between good and evil is so fine

[Byront 🇺🇦 @byrontrs]

Great ANZAC dawn service in Dublin. Lest we forget 🇦🇺 🇳🇿 🇮🇪

[Byront 🇺🇦 @byrontrs]

@F1 Time for Liam Lawson to step into the VCARB seat. Riccardo is only good for Netflix.

[Byront 🇺🇦 @byrontrs]

@chamfy What a horrific question!