Vol. 1065 No. 2
128. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the type of non-lethal military aid provided to Ukraine, including the additional aid recently announced; how this aid is being used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15213/25]
The Tánaiste mentioned non-lethal aid that is being provided to Ukraine, including the additional aid that was recently announced. I ask how this aid is being used and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I thank Deputy Callaghan for a pertinent question. Needless to say, the Government in its entirety, and most of the House I expect, remain deeply concerned about the situation on the ground in Ukraine where we see Russia is demonstrating a clear desire to continue escalation and conflict. US proposals for a partial ceasefire on energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea, as well as plans for further negotiations, represent a first and indeed, positive step forward. However, while Ukraine has agreed to the ceasefire proposals, Russia is insisting on conditions and has intensified its attacks, targeting Ukraine's towns and cities, its ports and its energy infrastructure. Ukraine is more in need of our support than ever; to defend itself against these continuing attacks and to be in a position of strength for negotiations.
Earlier this month, the Government approved €100 million of bilateral non-lethal military support for Ukraine. Work is ongoing towards the allocation and disbursement of this funding via two key channels. The first will be through Ukraine defence contact group, UDCG, coalitions on de-mining and ICT. The second will be through procurement partnerships with EU member states already procuring military support through Ukrainian industry. This will support the provision of non-lethal military equipment in priority areas identified by Ukraine, for example non-lethal elements of air defence such as radar systems and anti-drone jamming devices.
Ireland has committed approximately €250 million in non-lethal military support to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility, EPF. Through this mechanism, Ireland makes payments to the EPF which are used to fund non-lethal military support. Ireland constructively abstains from all EPF measures designed to deliver lethal force. At an EU level, the release of the majority of funding under the EPF, however, remains blocked by Hungary, meaning Ireland has been able to disburse only a proportion of its commitment to date. In the absence of agreement at EU level, we have stepped up our bilateral support. Since the full-scale invasion, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces have also provided non-lethal military equipment to the Ukrainian armed forces which include mine clearance flails, vehicles, body armour, ready-to-eat meals and is progressing further donations, including ordnance disposal robots and Giraffe radar systems. Ireland is also participating in the EU military assistance mission in support of Ukraine and the Government will continue to consider all options.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I share his deep concern in relation to the situation on the ground in Ukraine and I welcome the additional allocation of €100 million that was announced last month. It is imperative this non-lethal military aid will be used to procure items that are identified in co-ordination with Ukraine as we need the aid that has been allocated to be delivered into the areas that have been identified as being most needed on the ground. We need to collaborate with the people on the ground in Ukraine.
I would like to know how the €100 million is being split between the two key channels the Minister of State mentioned, namely, the de-mining and ICT procurement partnerships. What steps are being taken to ensure the procurement partners chosen have the capacity to supply non-lethal military aid quickly and the items that are being delivered are items that have been identified by Ukraine as areas of need?
It is proposed that up to €20 million be provided to the two UDCG coalitions as outlined, both of which Ireland has joined and at which is represented by the Department of Defence. It is proposed €80 million will be allocated to procurement partnerships with other EU member states. As I said, examples of relevant non-lethal supports could include non-lethal elements of air defence such as radar systems and anti-drone jamming devices.
The reason I mention those specific things is that these are the request of the Ukrainian Government. They are what the Ukrainians need to stop the bombs falling on cities like Kyiv and on forces on the front line. These bombs are being dropped not just on military targets but also on civilian facilities, particularly, as I mentioned, energy infrastructure, hospitals, schools, playgrounds and everything else in between. It is horrific. As regards being able to access this equipment as quickly as possible, speed is a priority. The vast majority of procurement will take place with local partners in Ukraine, who are able not only to turn it around quickly but to deliver it to the places where it is needed as soon as possible.
That is very welcome news. I thank the Minister of State. It is very clear to see then that the allocation of the extra €100 million is having a significant impact and providing vital support for Ukraine as it continues to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, support that, as the Minister of State himself says, is needed now more than ever as Ukraine continues to defend itself against the continuing attacks and to be in a position of strength for ongoing negotiations. It is vital that we in Ireland, together with our European partners, play our part in supporting Ukraine as it continues its defence against Russia. The Minister of State mentioned the €250 million, the initial allocation we had pledged, but it is being blocked by Hungary. What can be done, and what is being done, to ensure that money, that aid, gets to Ukraine? As the Minister of State says, the €100 million is very welcome, but the €250 million would be more than twice as welcome.
This is a key issue when we come to the combined European effort in support of Ukraine. We are being asked to do more for Ukraine by other allies around the world, but not all 27 EU member states are prepared to do that or are pulling their weight. That is why the €250 million allocated to the European PEACE facility is what we want to see developed. It is part of a much wider package. That is why we are reverting to the bilateral method of using €100 million, which we can get to where it needs to be as quickly as possible.
I will be quite frank: Hungary is not being a willing partner of the European Union; it is being a direct block to saving lives on the ground in Ukraine and ensuring this conflict comes to a quick end. The longer this conflict goes on, the more our energy prices stay up, the more people are being displaced, the more our grocery prices are being put up and the more all the people of Europe, whether they are Hungarian, Irish, Ukrainian or Belgian, are at risk from an aggressive power. We have to go around the system. The EU is being imaginative and Ireland has committed to play its full part with the high representative.
