Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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I broadly support the proposition. We, as a committee, should support the proposition that we do something and should ask, in turn, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, to use the platform of the Presidency. I would like to caution that this is more about legislation to affect human rights abusers internationally and there is danger in just adopting the American proposal given this is a Russia-America conflict and the sanctions only affect abusers coming out of Russia and their investment. We must extend the concept of human rights abuses and allow the Government to use whatever legislation is required in Ireland to apply theses sanctions to countries other than Russia. I do not know long that would take but we should convey something to the Russian ambassador. We should also seek a briefing from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on this. I do not how well briefed it is on this issue and how sensitive officials might feel this is because there could be retaliation from a country with which we are building trade relations. Delegations are going to Russia and there will be sensitivities before we arrive at a conclusion.