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

On the last point that the Minister dealt with, I know that the Taoiseach has called out various countries on their lack of support for sanctions, and indeed, lack of support for climate change measures. Presumably, he is showing his frustration with particular countries for their lack of support. I want to go back to the issue of sanctions again, which was raised by Deputy Richmond, and the package of six sanctions. I think the Minister may have answered the question, in that he said that more sanctions are needed, and a seventh round is certainly a possibility. When we met with the chairperson of the foreign affairs committee of the Georgian Parliament, he was particularly negative about the response and the effect that the EU response will have.

He was not criticising the EU but just wondering whether it will be effective. When I asked about the sanctions and whether they were having an effect on Russia and Belarus, he said they will probably have an effect in 15 years' time, which I thought was particularly negative. Do we have any evidence to show that the sanctions are working and that they are having an effect? It is creating hardship for citizens right across Europe. I would love to know if they are, indeed, being effective and if we have any evidence of that or if that is discussed at EU level.

My second question relates to enlargement generally. Obviously, Ireland is very supportive of the whole concept of enlargement for all sorts of reasons. Coming back to Georgia, again, there was huge frustration in Georgia at the decision of the European Commission and, indeed, subsequently, the European Council. It was put to us in very strong terms that Georgia is essentially a European country that is of strategic importance to Europe and there was certainly a commitment to try to deal with the 12 issues that were outlined by the European Commission. There was a little bit of frustration with regard to some of the 12 points outlined, however, particularly in relation to, for example, increased polarisation. It was felt by many of the people we met that this could not be quantified or, indeed, that polarisation is part and parcel of any democracy. We see it right across the world, particularly in the US at the moment. There was a bit of frustration that could not be quantified or that was a bit vague. Similarly, in relation to the deoligarchisation - that is a new word - it was again stressed to us that the main oligarch has left politics and so forth and how that can be dealt with. What I am trying to say is that it is unquantifiable with regard to many of them but, indeed, there is a determination to deal with them and for them to join the European Union in the shortest possible timeframe.

Sort of linked with that then is enlargement generally and the whole question of the Conference on the Future of Europe. I heard the Taoiseach and, indeed, the German Chancellor and others say that perhaps unanimity should not be required for accession. We had Mr. Emmanuel Macron talking about the European perspective. He seemed to suggest that maybe a lot of these countries should not actually join the European Union, and that there should be some sort of two-speed Europe as regards enlargement or accession. What are the Minister's views on that? I know the Conference on the Future of Europe is outside our scope today but on that particular issue, maybe there is need for unanimity for accession of EU countries. Obviously, as I said at the outset, Ireland is very supportive of enlargement. It is of strategic importance to the European Union. I think it is something we really need to get behind.

I will conclude by saying that Ireland has not been found wanting when it comes to Ukraine, and the Taoiseach and Minister have been very crucial in our response. That is welcomed by all of us and welcomed at an EU level as well. I say well done in that regard. The Minister has really represented the Irish people in his response to the awful invasion by Russia of Ukraine. Basically, my two questions are in relation to sanctions and enlargement generally.