Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The witnesses are all very welcome. I thank them for coming to the committee and for their comprehensive presentation about Georgia, the difficulties it faces and the challenges and aspirations for EU membership in particular. I echo the Chairman's comments, and those of others, in offering my support and that of the Labour Party for the measures being sought such as the lifting of visa requirements and the development of relations with Ireland. As has been said, an Irish Embassy in Tbilisi may be a little far off but I believe plans are under way to appoint a new Irish honorary consul. That, at least, would be a first step. I also welcome the establishment of the friendship group. I am sorry I could not be at the launch last night but I commend George and Ana, and the staff at the embassy in Ireland, who have done so much work in deepening and strengthening relations between Irish parliamentarians and Georgia.

Other detailed questions have been asked about what we can do. We have all been very concerned to hear of the effects of the occupation on Georgian citizens, and especially about the recent death described by the witnesses. We are concerned about the lack of progress for the 150,000 displaced persons and more generally the lack of progress of the Geneva talks. The witnesses have expanded on those issues.

I apologise because I must leave the meeting shortly, but I have a question on whether the recent worsening of relations between Russia and the EU has had an impact in Georgia, either positive or negative, with regard to Georgia's relations with Russia and the tensions that continue to exist. Do the witnesses see the worsening of relations, and the increased expulsions of Russian diplomats from EU countries and from Ireland, having any impact on the progress of the Geneva talks or on any progress towards a resolution of the ongoing occupation? Can the witnesses say anything about recent developments? I thank them again for coming to the committee.