Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
108. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the engagement he has had at a European Union and United Nations level in relation to the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22971/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra109. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans to offer support for Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22107/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra121. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that are being taken by Ireland and the European Union to support Ukraine and Ukrainian people given the current conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22910/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra126. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the role of Ireland in tackling the future challenges for the European Union in the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine. [22925/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra137. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 119 of 24 March 2022, if he will report on his engagement with Russia, either bilaterally or through Ireland’s membership of the United Nations Security Council, to bring about an end to the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22872/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra141. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the role of Ireland in supporting efforts to end the war in Ukraine. [22924/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 109, 121, 126, 137 and 141 together.
Ireland has been staunch and unwavering in its support to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.
Since Russia's further invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, my officials have formally registered Ireland's opposition to Russia's actions with the Russian Ambassador. Ireland stands ready to support any initiative which can deliver peace, in line with international humanitarian law as well as international human rights norms and standards, and which respects Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
I witnessed with my own eyes the shocking aftermath of the devastation in the Ukrainian town of Bucha. I expressed to the Mayor of Bucha the sincere condolences of the Irish Government and people. I committed to bearing witness to these terrible atrocities and to raising the situation internationally. Those who perpetrated these heinous crimes must be brought to justice.
On 19 April, as I promised to the mayor of Bucha and Foreign Minister Kuleba, I briefed the UN Security Council on my visit to Ukraine. I described how I stood at the edge of one of the mass graves, where the work of carefully exhuming bodies continued. 503 civilians had been identified at that stage - and just 4 soldiers. At the UN Security Council, I was clear that these facts speak to an utter disregard by Russian forces for their clear and unambiguous obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians. Ireland will continue to use our membership on the UN Security Council to hold Russia accountable for its actions.
Ireland is one of over 40 countries that referred the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and is providing a further €3 million to the ICC. Investigation teams from the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC are already actively collecting evidence from Ukraine.
On 4 May, the European Commission presented proposals for a sixth package of sanctions aimed at depriving Russia and Belarus of the ability to wage war on Ukraine. The package will include additional listings of individuals and entities, including high-ranking military officers and other individuals deemed to have been involved in committing atrocities in Bucha and in the siege of the city of Mariupol.
The package also targets additional Russian and Belarussian banks, including Sberbank, Russia's largest bank. Three big Russian state-owned broadcasters responsible for Russian state propaganda will be sanctioned, and will be unable to distribute their content in any form in the EU or attract advertising. The package also targets services, including accountancy, public relations and consultancy services to Russian companies.
A complete import ban on all Russian oil is also proposed, to be introduced in an orderly fashion, it is hoped agreement can be reached soon to ensure that EU Member States can secure alternative supplies. Crude oil will be phased out within six months, and refined products such as petrol and diesel by the end of the year. There are also provisions to prevent Russia from diversifying its client base for oil products, including a ban on the provision of insurance and financing for the shipping of Russian oil.
Ireland has allocated €20 million in direct humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and neighbouring countries, via the International Committee of the Red Cross and UN agencies. Additionally, at EU level, Ireland has contributed €11.5m to an EU humanitarian assistance package of €550m.
The EU is providing a €1.5 billion package of European Peace Facility (EPF) support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Ireland is contributing its full share (€33 million), which will go towards non-lethal elements only.
As I re-iterated when I met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba in April, Ireland fully supports Ukraine's application for EU Membership. We have come together with a group of other Member States, with a view to providing political and practical assistance in support of Ukraine’s European perspective.
In February, the EU Council agreed a €1.2 billion emergency macro-financial assistance package for Ukraine. Preparations for the swift disbursement of the second €600 million tranche of this assistance are underway.
EU leaders agreed to develop a Ukraine Solidarity Trust Fund with a view to the reconstruction of a democratic Ukraine, once the Russian onslaught has ceased.
Ireland has and will continue to play an active, constructive and compassionate role at EU level in meeting the challenges which arise from Russia's illegal military aggression.
