Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 July 2022
107. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way that the amount of €44 million being provided to Ukraine through the European Peace Facility was determined; if this funding was provided from the Department’s own vote or from elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36649/22]
View answerThe war on Ukraine has seen a significant mobilisation of funding through the European Peace Facility (EPF), with the EU agreeing to provide a total of €2 billion in military assistance thus far, based on requests for equipment from the Ukrainian government.
During the negotiations to establish the EPF and in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, Ireland together with a number of like-minded EU Member States, ensured the inclusion of a provision allowing Member States to exercise constructive abstention from assistance measures involving lethal equipment. Constructive abstention removes from the Member State involved any obligation to cover the costs of the provision of lethal equipment.
In the case of the military assistance provided to Ukraine, Ireland has made use of this provision and will instead provide a corresponding elective contribution to the provision of non-lethal support only.
Ireland’s total contribution under the EPF for Ukraine currently amounts to approximately €44 million. This contribution has been calculated on the basis of a Gross National Income (GNI) key which is provided for each Member State and will be funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The full amount of €44 million will not fall due for payment in 2022 and is likely to be spread across a number of years.
