Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I thank the ambassador. We very much appreciate her presence at our meeting and the manner in which she has dealt with the questions of our members. On behalf of the members I acknowledge her stated appreciation for the support of Ireland and the Irish people. I assure her we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine at this time of heightened challenge. I note with concern what she said in her opening statement regarding a resolution or statement this morning in the Duma on the part of Russian parliamentarians. I say to my fellow members that is important we reaffirm our support this afternoon. The joint committee notes with some alarm the statement in the Russian Duma calling for recognition of the occupation of Crimea and Donbas and we reaffirm our support this afternoon for the independent territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine in a unit.

The Irish Embassy in Kyiv in Ukraine, in common with the embassies of partner states, will remain open with a small number of essential staff remaining. I acknowledge the work of the Irish ambassador, Therese Healy, in Ukraine. She is staying in her post. She is working to assist Irish citizens out of the country and to manage the affairs of the embassy. The Department of Foreign Affairs now advises against all travel to Ukraine. It further asks Irish citizens in Ukraine to leave immediately. Updated travel advice is available on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs at dfa.ie. I acknowledge the work of our people in Kyiv.

We wish that all exploratory avenues will continue to take place in order to seek a diplomatic solution. We urge all partners involved to keep talking, whether by means of the Normandy format between Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany or bilaterally between the US and Russia or other partners. We wish the people of Ukraine well at this time of heightened challenge and tension. I thank the ambassador for being with us.