Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At the outset, I want to speak about the unconscionable attack by Russian forces yesterday in Mariupol. I am sure the committee will join me in expressing profound sorrow and sympathy for the victims of this illegal act of violence. This event speaks directly to the need for international pressure to be brought to bear so that this senseless conflict can be halted as soon as possible.

The implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine for all of us in Europe are profound. Every part of Government is working intensely. In our meeting today, I will cover the elements that come under the responsibility of my Department but the challenge is one to which the whole of Government must respond.

Ireland has been always been unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We could not have been clearer in calling out the actions of Russia for what they are, that is, a blatant violation of the UN Charter and a breach of international law for which Russia must be held solely accountable. Ireland has been at the forefront of efforts across the multilateral system to respond to Russian aggression, alleviate the humanitarian crisis and bring an end to this conflict. We have joined with 38 other state parties in referring the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court, ICC, to investigate alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. By taking this action, the ICC prosecutor is now able to immediately begin a formal investigation.

The committee will also be aware of our decisive action at the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly. When Russia vetoed a Security Council resolution, we moved immediately to vote in favour of an emergency session of the General Assembly. That session saw an overwhelming majority as 141 UN member states voted in favour of a resolution, which we co-sponsored, deploring Russia’s aggression. The extent of support is a powerful demonstration of the widespread global condemnation of Russia’s aggression. Only Belarus, Syria, North Korea and Eritrea voted with Russia on that motion, which says a lot.

We have also been at the forefront of the Council’s consideration of the deeply worrying humanitarian and nuclear aspects of this crisis. The Council met following the Russian attack on the nuclear power station at Zaporizhzhia. As a member of the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Ireland has also given its full support to the agency in trying to manage the serious situation at Ukraine’s nuclear sites. All nuclear facilities must be returned to the control of the competent Ukrainian authorities.

We have also been active at the Human Rights Council, co-sponsoring an adopted resolution to establish a commission of inquiry into alleged violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law.

At the Council of Europe, the Committee of Ministers voted in favour of suspending the Russian Federation from its rights of representation at both the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. I hear today that Russia is leaving the Council of Europe of its own accord, at least for now. I know the Oireachtas members of Ireland’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe are following the situation closely and will travel to Strasbourg next week to express their views on this matter.

At the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, along with 44 other states, we invoked the so-called Moscow mechanism, which allows a mission of experts to be convened to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding Russia’s possible violations of international human rights law, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Full, safe and unhindered access to provide humanitarian assistance is urgently needed. Compliance with international humanitarian law by all parties is not optional.

We have looked on in horror as attempts to evacuate hundreds of thousands of people from besieged cities have failed time and time again. Let me be absolutely clear that whatever is agreed or not agreed on humanitarian corridors or other measures, civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected, whether those civilians choose to leave or stay. It is a core obligation under international humanitarian law.

The majority of those who have fled Ukraine are women and children. Those fleeing face increased risks as they do so, including a heightened risk of sexual and gender-based violence. It remains imperative that they are protected. The inclusion of women in the decision-making processes and humanitarian response, and in any peace negotiations, is essential to ensure that their rights are upheld. Ireland will continue to emphasise that point, as we did at the European Security Council meeting on Monday.

Ireland contributed €10 million in humanitarian assistance on the first day of the invasion. As we speak, my Department is disbursing this funding in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. The Taoiseach has since announced an additional €10 million and we will act quickly to get these funds to where they are needed most. I will talk about that point further when we are discussing the Estimates because we may need Revised Estimates in that regard later in the year.

As the committee is aware, the EU pursued all means in recent months to engage with President Putin and to urge him to step back. EU leaders, both bilaterally and through the Normandy format, made every diplomatic effort to de-escalate the situation and to prevent war. At the same time, the EU was absolutely clear that further military aggression by Russia against Ukraine would result in massive cost for Russia and that is exactly what has happened. I have been in politics for 23 years and I have never seen EU member states as unified and as resolved as they are in their support for Ukraine.

In the space of just over a week, we have imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia in three different waves. The sanctions are hitting the web of companies, financial institutions, state institutions and agencies, oligarchs, government members and media interests that surround President Putin and enable the corruption and violence that are currently taking place. The EU has now sanctioned over 800 individuals and over 50 entities. Over 20 Belarusian military leaders have also been added to sanctions lists. Sectoral sanctions target the Russian financial, energy, technology and defence, and transport sectors. They prevent Russian state-owed media from spreading disinformation in the EU. The sanctions also restrict economic relations between the EU and the breakaway regions in Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as significantly curtailing trade between the EU and Belarus and targeting the Belarusian financial sector.

We have already seen a significant impact. The value of the rouble has plummeted. The Russian Government has had to double interest rates and reintroduce currency controls. The closure of EU airspace has drastically reduced transport options in and out of Russia. The economic and trade measures will hinder Russia’s ability to finance its military campaign and further equip its military. The key priority now is the rapid and effective implementation of all of the sanctions agreed to date. Discussions will also continue at EU level on possible additional sanctions.

The EU has also committed over €1 billion in support and, through the European peace facility, the EU has agreed a package of €500 million for the Ukrainian military. In line with our programme for Government commitment, Ireland will pay its full share of approximately €11 million.

A figure of between €9 million and €10 million has been out there to date. I want to put on record today that the figure is €11 million as part of that overall €500 million fund. Our contribution will go exclusively to the provision of non-lethal elements within the fund but it is all in the same effort and purpose. There will be approximately €450 million assigned to the provision of lethal weapons. Approximately €50 million of that fund will be to non-lethal elements and that is the €50 million to which we are contributing.

Ukraine has underlined its desire to join the EU. Ireland has been clear in expressing our strong support for Ukraine’s aspirations for EU membership. My Department has been helping the many Irish citizens who have found themselves caught in the midst of this conflict and, believe me, some of the situations have been extremely complex. Approximately 45 citizens remain in Ukraine with 157 already departed. We will continue to keep in close contact with them, supporting them in every way we can. There are limitations to that, however, given the fact that much of Ukraine is now a war zone.

Members know already of the extensive work we have been involved in with families with surrogacy arrangements in Ukraine. That will continue. As always, the privacy and security of these families will remain a top priority for me and I will not be talking about their cases in any detail publicly.

This appalling act of aggression against Ukraine offends our common humanity. I said last week in the Dáil, and I repeat it now, that we must lay responsibility clearly where it belongs. This is not a war in which there are two equal contributing parties. That responsibility has to be laid at the feet of the Russian authorities and the Kremlin's leadership.

I pay tribute to the ordinary Russian and Belarusian people who have been protesting this unjustified assault, often at great cost and risk to themselves. I read something when I was in New York two days ago at the Security Council and, from what I can remember, on that day, 4,600 Russians were arrested across Russian cities for protesting. They were willing to take that risk to speak out against the decisions that are being made by their leadership in their names. The Russian and Belarusian communities in Ireland are part of the fabric of this nation and it is important that we continue to show them that they are welcome here, just as we will for the many Ukrainians who now seek refuge with us in Ireland.

Of course, we need to continue to maintain pressure through sanctions to ensure we provide a strong deterrent to the continuation of this war. We must also work with international partners, however, to find a way to turn the tide and persuade the Kremlin that this madness needs to stop and be replaced by negotiation, diplomacy and a ceasefire in order that we can, if necessary, be part of negotiated solutions over time in the absence of war.

In the meantime, we need to be blunt in our language, honest and consistent in terms of the standards that international obligations require of countries big and small in respect of what is happening at the moment in Ukraine, particularly the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure. Yesterday, we saw the horrific images of a maternity and children's hospital where we are told children are buried under the rubble. That is an outrageous act of aggression that cannot go unchecked. We will, as I believe many other countries will as well, ensure there is accountability through all the legal mechanisms and entities available globally to respond to atrocities like that. Unfortunately, however, that is not an isolated case. I think the figure now is that well over 200 schools have been hit. Many hospitals across Ukraine and, of course, many civilian areas in terms of households, apartment blocks and so on are being brutalised from the air and from artillery positions.

This war is having an enormous cost. It will fundamentally change global politics even if it ends tomorrow which, unfortunately, it will not. For us, as a European country within the European Union, it is, unfortunately, fundamentally changing the security arrangements on this continent and the relationship between Russia and the rest of Europe. I suspect we will be having many conversations at this committee in the future in that regard from a security, defence, foreign policy and EU perspective as we learn lessons from what continues to unfold on a daily basis.