Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her comments. In scrutinising this Bill, I do not think there is anybody who is opposed to it, but they can speak for themselves. At least on Second Stage, we did not see that in terms of supporting the principle of solidarity which is at heart of the European Union supporting a country that, through no fault of its own, has found its economy in free fall and its infrastructure destroyed, and for member states across the European Union to support it. Notwithstanding that, obviously, we need to tease out the technical details of the legislation. Sections 17 and 18 and Schedule 4, as well as section 19 which we are discussing, also deal with the issues of the MFA+ contribution agreement and, as was mentioned, allows for contributions of up to €63 million, or just in excess of it, to be paid by Ireland or Ireland to be on the hook for that amount. This new proposed Ukraine facility is going to replace the previous loans. Does the Minister of State have a forecast of the State's envisaged contributions over the medium term, inclusive of the Ukraine facility in relation to this? I ask her to perhaps on touch on Schedule 4 in her response, and what it is asking of us.