Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2023
85. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the issue of the Russian Federation abducting Ukrainian children from their families and removing them to Russia was discussed at the European Foreign Affairs council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4232/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra96. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update following his attendance at the Foreign Affairs Council, with specific regard to support for Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4091/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra109. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent attendance at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels; if additional and tougher sanctions against Iran were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4404/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his attendance at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 23 January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4363/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 96, 109 and 117 together.
The Foreign Affairs Council addressed a number of important issues, in particular the ongoing war in Ukraine, human rights violations in Iran, and the EU’s relationship with the Palestinian Authority. We took a number of decisions in relation to these issues and others.
The Council was addressed by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, who updated us on Ukraine’s needs. The Council endorsed the provision of a seventh €500 million package of support for Ukraine under the European Peace Facility. As before, Ireland’s contribution of €11 million will go towards non-lethal elements. This will bring Ireland’s total contribution to Ukraine under the Facility to €77 million. We also agreed to continue coordination of our work on ensuring accountability for war crimes.
We are aware of reports that Russia has engaged in the large-scale deportation of Ukrainian women and children to Russia territory since the beginning of their illegal invasion. Ireland believes that all reports of human rights violations should be thoroughly investigated, and perpetrators held accountable. At the Council, we agreed to support implementation of Ukraine’s ten step initiative for a just peace. This includes a demand for the release of all prisoners and deported persons, including more than eleven thousand children who Ukraine previously identified as having been forcibly deported to Russia. The actual numbers deported are likely far higher. The EU has condemned in the strongest terms the detention, abduction or kidnapping of civilians in Ukrainian territories temporarily under illegal Russian military control and demanded their unconditional release.
The Council met with the Palestinian Prime Minister to discuss how the EU could build its relationship with the Palestinian Authority at a critical moment. I reaffirmed our support for a two-state solution and the need to undertake action in support of it. I also underlined our full support for work towards an Association Agreement between the EU and the Palestinian Authority and recalled that Ireland is urging Israel not to impede upon the critical human rights, humanitarian and development work of Civil Society Organisations in the occupied Palestinian territory. Ministers agreed to set up an annual high-level political dialogue between the EU and the Palestinian Authority.
We discussed the repression of protestors in Iran, as well as the transfer of weaponry to Russia. The Council has responded to these unacceptable Iranian actions by adopting a fourth package of EU restrictive measures, sanctioning a further 18 individuals and 19 entities. We also discussed the issue of Iran’s practice of arbitrary detention of foreign citizens, including dual nationals.
Over the course of the Council, we also discussed the EU’s engagement in the Sahel and coastal countries of West Africa, established a civilian CSDP Mission in Armenia and agreed on an EU contribution towards implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in Ethiopia, and discussed the EU response to unacceptable actions by the Taliban in Afghanistan, amongst other issues.
