Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 15 March 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs

Ukraine's Application for Membership of the European Union: Engagement with Ambassador of Ukraine.

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the ambassador for coming in again, for giving us those accounts of what is happening on the ground in Ukraine and for updating us on the horrific situation we are witnessing on our television screens. I also pay tribute to President Zelenskyy for his extraordinary leadership. He is a wartime president. I am sure he is an inspiration to the people of Ukraine and, indeed, the world. We stand foursquare behind him.

I note the very clear asks in Her Excellency's presentation. As she knows, the Irish position is that we will provide humanitarian aid, in the form of €11 million through the European peace facility and €20 million of our own unilateral humanitarian aid, non-lethal equipment and a welcome for so many displaced people. I do not think Ireland will be involved in any kind of decision-making on the request for a no-fly zone. However, I hear what Ms Gerasko is saying. We are not a member of NATO but it is certainly something we could discuss with our EU colleagues. At the end of the day, it is a decision that has to be taken somewhere else.

Regarding EU membership, the ambassador has given us a wonderful report card - 86% of people in favour of EU membership. As the ambassador is aware, we have the eastern partnership association agreements, the deep and comprehensive free trade agreements, and the various criteria that must be met, but Ukraine is certainly making significant progress in that regard. At a special meeting of the European Council, the Taoiseach championed the case of Ukraine. He is unhappy with the pace of enlargement generally, particularly in the case of Ukraine. The summit asked the Commission to present a report. It does not sound very urgent. We hear clearly what the ambassador is saying. As the Houses of the Oireachtas, we need to push that along and state very clearly we welcome fast-track membership of the EU.

I note the ambassador also said the sanctions are not enough. She has a very clear list there. This is something with which I would agree. Again, Ireland was to the fore in pressing for strong sanctions initially when some member states, especially Germany, were not too sure about them. However, they all came on board. I agree with the ambassador the sanctions are not enough. Again, we need to go through the ambassador's list of companies and be much stronger at EU level in implementing comprehensive sanctions.

Regarding the possibility of a negotiated settlement and the possibility of diplomacy helping in this regard, the ambassador more or less said if the comprehensive sanctions were implemented, it would force Russia to the table. Is there any scope for diplomacy, a negotiated settlement or discussions at this stage?

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