Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I asked a couple of questions in my contribution and the Minister of State might have missed some of them. One related to the European Commission and the Permanent TSB restructuring talks. Is there any update in that regard? On the recapitalisation of Irish banks, was any progress made?

The Council's statement welcomed the Ukrainian Government's commitment to ensuring its representative nature and inclusive government structures and protecting minorities, which seems at odds with what we are being told is happening on the ground. The Minister of State might expand in that regard. I am particularly concerned about the attacks on the Jewish population and other minorities in cities such as Kiev and I wonder what steps are being taken by the Government in welcoming such commitments.

I asked about climate change. Is there any update in that regard? I also asked about the situation in Cyprus, particularly the Famagusta declaration, the need for confidence-building measures and the fact that to date Ireland has been quiet on the issue. Does Ireland have a view on some of the statements that have been made by the Turkish side in that regard? There was agreement on unhelpful statements that would cause difficulties in those negotiations. Will the Government use its direct links with the Turkish and Cypriot governments to encourage these talks?

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