Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 March 2022
235. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the aid provided or agreed to be provided by the Defence Forces or the Government to Ukraine that is funded out of the funding allocated to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13472/22]
View answerI have agreed to take this question on transfer from the Department of Defence as the budget lines through which we are providing support to Ukraine are managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Since the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified further invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces on 24 February, Ireland has stood in unwavering solidarity with the people and government of Ukraine.
Ireland has now committed €20 million in humanitarian aid to help mitigate the impact of the Russian further invasion of Ukraine on the lives of ordinary people. The initial €10 million funding announced by An Taoiseach two weeks ago will be allocated to support key humanitarian organisations on the ground, namely UN OCHA, UNHCR, ICRC and IFRC, as they provide life-saving assistance to the people of Ukraine. A further €10 million was announced by An Taoiseach on Monday 7 March. Ireland is also sending urgent medical supplies, including protective suits, blood bags, masks and disinfectants, in response to a request from Ukraine via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).
In addition, on 27 February the EU agreed a package of €500 million in military assistance for Ukraine under the European Peace Facility (EPF). Some €450 million of this support will be allocated for lethal equipment, with €50 million for non-lethal equipment. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, Ireland will not be contributing to the funding of lethal equipment. We will pay our full share (approximately €11 million) and our funding will go only to non-lethal elements.
In the period ahead, Ireland will continue to engage with European Union, United Nations and other partners to provide assistance to Ukraine.
