2 Aib 2014, 10:24
Following his meeting with the Ambassador of Ukraine to Ireland Sergii Reva, on 26 March 2014, the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann Sean Barrett T.D., wrote to An Táinaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, requesting that a motion, in solidarity with the people of Ukraine be debated and approved by the Members of the Dáil.
The Ceann Comhairle was pleased to learn that, following yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, a cross-party motion was approved (as per attached) and will be debated in the Dáil tomorrow, Thursday.
The Ceann Comhairle is supportive of the idea that Irish parliamentarians be invited to act as observers at early Presidential elections in Ukraine to be held on 25 May 2014. The Ceann Comhairle is of the view that, it is only through the democratic process - such as the Presidential elections and further Parliamentary elections – expressed through the will of the people, that Ukraine can develop as a democratic and stable society for the betterment of all her peoples.
Motion on Ukraine, to be taken on Thursday, 3 April 2014.
“That Dáil Éireann,
Rejects the validity of the referendum held in Crimea on 16 March without the minimum democratic guarantees which cannot pave the way for a change of borders between Russia and Ukraine.
Condemns the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation which violates the sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine in breach of the Charter of the United Nations and the 1975 Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, as well as Russia’s specific commitments under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, the 1997 Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation and the 1991 Alma Ata Declaration.
Calls on all parties, and particularly the Russian Federation, to pursue immediately the peaceful resolution of the situation regarding Ukraine, in full respect of its bilateral and multilateral commitments to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the right of its people to democratically decide their own future and self determination, through direct political dialogue, to exercise restraint, to refrain from unilateral actions and inflammatory rhetoric that may increase tensions and to engage fully with international mediation efforts.
Commends the measured response shown so far by Ukraine and calls on the interim government to ensure they maintain inclusive and representative governmental structures, reflecting regional diversity, to ensure the full protection of the rights of all persons, including those belonging to national minorities, to undertake constitutional reform, to investigate all human rights violations and acts of violence and to fight extremism.
Welcomes the holding of Presidential elections in Ukraine on 25 May and underscores the right of the Ukrainian people to choose their own constitutional framework without outside interference.
Pledges its solidarity with and support for Ukraine, including through multilateral organisations of which Ireland is a member such as the United Nations, the OSCE and the Council of Europe and welcomes Ukraine’s signature of the political elements of the Association Agreement with the European Union and its Member States.”
ENDS/
Further Information:
Verona Ni Bhroinn,
Press and PRO, Communications Unit, 01 618 3881, 087 2624132