Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Gabhaim buíochas le baill an choiste as an gcuireadh teacht anseo chun comhrá ginearálta a bheith againn agus chun na nithe a thagann amach as Comhairle na hEorpa maidir leis an bhfreagracht atá ag an Aontas Eorpach as an gcogadh san Úcráin a phlé. Tosóidh mé an plé leis an suíomh mar atá sé maidir leis an Úcráin agus maidir leis an Aontas Eorpach agus mo ghníomhaíochtaí ag Comhairle na hEorpa.

I am joined today by Ms Orla McBreen, of the Department's European Union division. I am fully aware that I did not attend the European Council last week because I was a close contact of quite a number of people before I went and was concerned that I might test positive or develop symptoms while abroad. However, I was at the General Affairs Council, which prepares the European Council.

I am very glad to have the opportunity to engage with committee members today regarding supporting Ukraine. We now find ourselves nearly five weeks into the conflict. The situation is of huge concern. There are dire and unimaginable human consequences arising out of this illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable large-scale invasion and war on Ukraine. What we are seeing is, quite simply, incredible, except that we see it with our own eyes.

Ireland’s support for Ukraine is unwavering. As the Taoiseach said in his conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this reflects our close co-operation and support. I know we are all looking forward to hearing from President Zelenskyy next week and I thank the Ceann Comhairle for inviting him to address both Houses of the Oireachtas, which is a singular honour and responsibility for us in our response to the situation.

At this point it is worth recalling that Irish relations with Ukraine had started to develop last year to a greater degree than previously with the opening of our embassy. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Simon Coveney, visited Kyiv last summer to open the embassy and establish a diplomatic presence. There was great interest and excitement within the Department and diplomatic community about this engagement and increasing engagement with Ukraine. I had conversations with Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dmytro Kuleba, in December. Even by then, there was huge concern as to what was about to unfold.

The focus of the engagement with the committee today will be what can be done to support Ukraine in an EU context, but of course it is also worth mentioning the United Nations. Since the early days of the conflict, Ireland has been active and vocal in our support for Ukraine on the Security Council and in General Assembly meetings. We have urged others to join us in condemning Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified invasion and war in Ukraine, and we call on Russia to immediately withdraw its forces from the entire territory of Ukraine and to implement an immediate ceasefire.At this point, it might be worth remembering our ambassador and deputy permanent representative, Mr. Jim Kelly, who died suddenly and was to the fore in many engagements at the Security Council.

Turning now to the EU, Ireland fully supports Ukraine's application for EU membership, which was made clear by the Taoiseach and has been gratefully received in Ukraine and many EU nations. EU leaders acted quickly earlier this month and invited the European Commission to submit an opinion on Ukraine's application to become a member. Even this procedure has been fast-tracked. EU leaders reiterated that at the European Council last week. Ireland has come together with a grouping of other member states that are similarly strongly supportive of Ukraine’s application, with a view to providing political and practical assistance to support Ukraine’s European perspective.

In terms of funding, Ireland has contributed in full to the European Peace Facility’s €1 billion military assistance package for Ukraine. Our total share, which is pro rata, is €22 million, will go towards non-lethal elements. The EU has also agreed to provide an emergency macro-financial assistance operation of €1.2 billion in the form of loans to foster stability in Ukraine. This is already being disbursed.

Ireland is supportive of the widest possible sanctions on Russia and Belarus, including on the energy sector, as a concrete demonstration of our solidarity with Ukraine and to maintain the strongest possible pressure on the Kremlin. We are, of course, mindful of the need to maintain European unity. The unity and determination of the EU took Russia by surprise and we must continue to hold a united and firm line on this. I am pleased that we are doing that. We and other member states have asked the European Commission to produce an impact assessment, looking at the effects of all the sanctions introduced to date on Russia and the EU.

On a humanitarian level, Ireland has responded quickly to the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. An initial humanitarian package of €10 million announced by the Taoiseach on the day of the invasion has since been doubled to €20 million. The humanitarian package of Irish Aid funding has been channelled to the UN, the Red Cross and civil society in general as they deliver life-saving help to Ukrainians affected by the conflict. Some €5 million of this funding will support UNHCR’s refugee response, while a further €6 million has been allocated to the Red Cross to support the critical role it is playing. The International Committee of the Red Cross operates in active conflict areas, negotiating humanitarian access and safe passage, repairing critical infrastructure and ensuring the availability of life-saving care. Of our funding, €4 million will allow UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA to protect and provide vital medical care to vulnerable groups, whether they choose to leave or remain in their country.

Irish NGOs are also mobilising and partnering with local NGOs in the region. Irish Aid will also support their efforts through a dedicated fund of €2 million launched by the Minister of State, Deputy Colm Brophy, last week. The EU, through the European Commission, has also made €550 million in emergency and humanitarian assistance available. The EU civil protection mechanism has also delivered almost €300 million worth of in-kind assistance.

We are encouraging all our partners, including UN agencies and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, CERF, to mobilise the resources we provide by way of core funding to respond to the crisis in Ukraine and support host countries. CERF has provided more than €55 million to date, and Ireland is the tenth largest donor.

I will now touch on the recent General Affairs Council and the European Council, on which I am more than happy to answer questions. I represented Ireland at a meeting of the General Affairs Council in Brussels last week. Our main item of discussion was preparation for the European Council meeting of 24 and 25 March. Other topics discussed included the revision of a regulation on the statute and funding of European political parties and foundations, the Conference on the Future of Europe, the European semester process for 2022 and an update on proposals for a regulation on the adoption of unilateral enforcement measures under the EU-UK withdrawal agreement.

At the European Council meeting, the main item of discussion was the situation in Ukraine. Constructive discussions were held with US President Biden, in attendance physically, and the Ukrainian President, Mr. Zelenskyy, present online. Leaders discussed Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, including the safety of the civilian population, help for refugees and support to the Ukrainian Government, and set out a number of conclusions that reiterated our support for Ukraine.

The European Council endorsed the strategic compass as part of its focus on security and defence issues. Leaders also had a lengthy discussion on options to mitigate the impact of energy price increases. On economic issues, leaders called for work to be taken forward on building a more robust economic base and reaffirmed the importance of realising the full potential of the Single Market. As for external relations, preparation was made for the EU-China Summit, which takes place this week. The political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina was also discussed.

Bheinn sásta ceisteanna a thógáil ó bhaill an choiste.