Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 July 2015
250. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on an international investigation of the shooting down of the MH17 flight in Ukraine; if he will support such measures at the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28143/15]
View answerThe downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH 17 over eastern Ukraine on 17 July 2014 resulted in the tragic loss of 298 innocent lives. This event was met around the world with widespread shock and condemnation. On 21 July 2014 the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2166, which Ireland co-sponsored, calling for a full, thorough and independent investigation into the crash in accordance with international civil aviation guidelines. An international investigation team consisting of experts from 24 countries, including most of the countries directly affected by this tragic incident and the International Civil Aviation Organisation has been working on and off the site since July 2014.
In September 2014, the investigative team issued a preliminary report which confirmed that the aircraft was most likely brought down as a result of impact from a “number of high-energy objects from outside.”
The investigation team is expected to release its full report later this year. Until that investigation has been completed it would be inappropriate to comment on its outcome.
