Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2022
143. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on any recent engagement that he has had with the ambassadors of Ukraine and Russia to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57536/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland on several occasions since Russia’s unjustified and illegal further invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The first such instance was in the days following the invasion, to convey Ireland’s solidarity and strong support for the Government and people of Ukraine.
I also met with the Ambassador during my visit to Kyiv in April. During this visit, I discussed with Ukrainian counterparts how Ireland could continue to provide political, security and humanitarian support, as well as how we could best assist Ukraine in its application for EU candidate status.
Officials from my Department are also in regular contact with the Ambassador on a variety of issues, most notably, on how Ireland can continue to support the Government and people of Ukraine. The most recent engagements with the Ambassador include at last week’s high-level international conference in Dublin on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, which was organised by my Department, and which was attended by a range of ministers and senior officials, UN officials, and high-level representatives, including Ambassador Gerasko. Additionally, officials from my Department attended President Zelenskyy’s virtual address to Irish students at DCU last week, at which Ambassador Gerasko was also present.
I have not met the Russian Ambassador to Ireland in person since Russia’s unjustified and illegal further invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Officials in my Department have met with the Ambassador to discuss a range of operational issues, in line with our obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR). This is the international agreement on arrangements for diplomats and diplomatic missions to which both Ireland and the Russian Federation are party.
Despite our strong disagreement with the actions taken by Russia, the Government's view is that diplomatic channels between Ireland and the Russian Federation should remain open. This is in the interests of our own citizens, both in Russia itself and in the five central Asian republics to which Ireland is accredited via our Embassy in Moscow. It also allows us to formally convey the Government's views on the illegal and unwarranted war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine.
At my instruction and in coordination with EU partners, the Russian Ambassador was summoned by my Department on 3 October. He was informed that Ireland categorically condemned the declaration by the Russian Federation on 30 September illegally annexing part of the territory of Ukraine, and would not recognise such declared annexations.
The Russian Ambassador was again called in by senior officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs on 17 November. The Government’s firm objection to the unwarranted and unjustified travel ban imposed on Irish citizens was conveyed. Ireland’s position in respect of Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine, and support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its right to defend itself under Article 51 of the UN Charter, was reiterated.
