I propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 140 and 158 together.
Ireland believes we need to maintain the strongest possible pressure on Russia to bring the illegal invasion of Ukraine to an end. We are looking at every available avenue open to us and reviewing the impact of our actions to date. A new EU sanctions package was adopted last week, introducing further restrictions on Russian financial services and the defence and security sector, plus a ban on imports of iron and steel products and exports of luxury goods. We will continue to work with EU partners to agree further sanctions and robust restrictive measures.
Ireland is a party to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 (VCDR), which has the force of law in the State pursuant to the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act, 1967. The Vienna Convention recognises the necessity of privileges and immunities for the peaceful and efficient conduct of international relations. The VCDR provides for a number of remedies which are available to a receiving state, including in the event that the actions of a member of the diplomatic staff of the mission, or any other member of the staff of the mission, are not acceptable. This continues to be kept under review.
There is value in keeping diplomatic channels open with Russia, not least to protect our interests and our citizens. Like all of the other responses we have deployed, we will continue to coordinate closely with EU partners to ensure decisions have a meaningful impact.