Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Thank you, ambassador. Shortly after the start of the unlawful invasion, on Saturday, 26 February, you emailed members of the committee and other Members of the Houses being the friends of Ukraine. You posed a series of 21 issues you would like addressed by the Irish Parliament. I am not going to deal with them now but could you update the committee on these 21 issues? Some have been implemented and more have been partly implemented. You might be in a position to advise us on the ones that are still outstanding. In that letter, you outlined particular sanctions of an economic and a political nature that Ireland could engage in on the basis of our relationship with certain Russian business or entities. If your office has time, I would be grateful if over the next week or so you revisited the questions and let us know of progress. We are very keen to ensure that issues posed by you some months ago were addressed by the Irish authorities in a manner we hope you find acceptable.

The only other issue I would like to raise with you while you are here - it was mentioned by Mr. Yermak - is in respect of the current blockade and the fact that convoys of ships and boats with vital food are unable to access the Black Sea.

Mr. Yermak mentioned that some western and NATO assistance would be required. Senator Ó Donnghaile referred to Ireland's membership of the United Nations Security Council earlier. Is there a role for Ireland or any way we might assist to ensure appropriate naval convoys are assembled to ensure protection for ships leaving Ukraine with vital food and grain? Are there any alternative routes that might be sought? Road and rail were certainly mentioned but I am not sure how feasible they would be having regard to the quantities involved.