Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2023
167. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what action is being taken to ensure that Russia and its leadership will be held fully accountable for waging a war of aggression against Ukraine and for other serious crimes under international law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50066/23]
View answer183. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what discussions he has had with EU partners in relation to the establishment of a tribunal for the prosecution of the crime of aggression against Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50067/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 183 together.
The Government has been consistent in the pursuit of accountability for Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression.
Ireland supports initiatives to bring to account perpetrators of international crimes committed in Ukraine in the context of Russia’s aggression. As the first permanent international court with the power to prosecute international crimes, the International Criminal Court (ICC), along with other accountability mechanisms, has a crucial role to play fighting impunity for international crimes that have been committed in Ukraine. In March 2022, Ireland was one of 43 states to refer the situation in Ukraine to the ICC in order to enable the ICC Prosecutor to immediately start an investigation. The Government has recently announced a voluntary contribution of €3 million to the ICC in support of its important work across all situations. This is in addition to the voluntary contribution of €3 million made to the ICC in 2022 and Ireland’s assessed contribution to the Court’s budget, which was €1.4 million in 2023.
The Prosecutor’s investigation in Ukraine has so far resulted in the issue of arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for alleged war crimes related to the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from Ukraine to Russia.
Ireland also supports accountability for the Russian leadership responsible for the crime of aggression, a crime that is outside the jurisdiction of the ICC’s investigation in Ukraine. Ireland is one of 40 states, plus the EU, in the Core Group for the Establishment of a Special Tribunal to Prosecute the Crime of Aggression in Ukraine. Ireland participates in regular meetings of the Core Group to address the complex legal and practical issues that arise in trying to establish a credible, legitimate and effective tribunal to deal with this crime.
Ireland welcomes the establishment of an International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression in Ukraine by Eurojust in The Hague. The Centre will enable investigations into Russia’s leadership to commence while discussions continue on the creation of a special tribunal. The Centre began initial operations in July and will be fully established by the end of 2023.
Ireland, is a founding participant of the Register of Damage, which will serve as a record of evidence and information on claims of damage, loss or injury caused by Russia’s actions in or against Ukraine. Ireland views the Register as an important first step towards the creation of an international compensation mechanism to hold Russia accountable to victims of its aggression.
Ireland has also joined 31 other States intervening as a third party in Ukraine’s proceedings against the Russian Federation at the International Court of Justice under the Genocide Convention.
