Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The ambassador will note that Deputy Stanton makes an important point in respect of a call from this committee to the private sector to assist in the provision of transport vehicles. The bulk of our meeting is about what the Irish State is doing and what it can do but we are also issuing a direct call to the private sector in this meeting. That is important and I thank Deputy Stanton for raising the issue. It is an issue this committee can continue to work on.

Before we conclude, I have a number of questions, which cover four areas. It is important to set this meeting in context. It is part of a series of meetings with ambassadors from the region on the incredibly difficult and challenging conflict on European soil. Members will be aware that we commenced our deliberations in early 2022 with a meeting with the ambassador of Russia, Mr. Yury Filatov. Unfortunately, on that occasion the committee was treated to a cocktail of misinformation and propaganda to such an extent that it felt a further invitation was unwarranted and, indeed, inappropriate. We are very pleased to have had a number of meetings with the Ukrainian ambassador. We are also very pleased to see, as an act of solidarity, the presence in our Public Gallery of ambassadors from the neighbourhood and region, from the Nordic states, the Baltic states, Moldova and Poland. This is indicative of the strong solidarity and support Ukraine is receiving. We trust that will continue.

I will turn to my questions in those four areas. First, I will address a matter that has previously been referred to, the issue of the children. It is absolutely staggering for us to note that over 700,000 children from Ukraine have been unlawfully abducted, deported, kidnapped or taken against their will. We note the comments of our Taoiseach, Deputy Harris, on this precise issue in Switzerland at the weekend and his highlighting of this totally unacceptable development over recent years. What can a small country like Ireland do in that regard, given that we are some distance from the conflict and that we are small in stature as regards the influence we might bring to bear? Does the ambassador have any specific message to us as to how we might assist in redressing this dreadful horror perpetrated upon the children of Ukraine?

The second issue is that of the frozen assets. I acknowledge what the ambassador has said in that regard with particular reference to statements by G7 leaders on a decision as to how to seize almost €300 billion in Russian state assets frozen across western countries since February 2022.

We acknowledge that, as the ambassador has said, the war of aggression perpetrated by Russia in Ukraine has already done almost €500 billion in damage to infrastructure across Ukraine. That is a staggering figure that is, unfortunately, growing every day. We acknowledge that countries, including Ireland, need to step up our assistance in helping Ukraine win this war for both the democratic future of Europe and our own security. The immediate priority is, of course, to directly aid and assist the people of Ukraine and its Government. I am very keen for the Irish Government to continue to highlight the need to ensure the confiscation of the entire €300 billion, in accordance with international law. I note that, following last weekend's G7 meeting, a sum of €50 billion has been committed but that is not even 30% of the entirety. How best can a country like Ireland assist in that regard in partnership with our EU colleagues and others, including the US, Canada, the UK and beyond? The confiscation of the full amount will signal our resolve to Mr. Filatov, Mr. Putin's representative here in Ireland, and to other authoritarians who may seek to attack their neighbours.

The third issue I wish to raise is the matter of sanctions. The committee has been monitoring what our Department of Foreign Affairs is doing in that regard. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment may be the lead Department in this respect. The Central Bank also has a role. The ambassador made reference to Russia finding ways to circumvent the restrictions through what are oftentimes less than direct means. With particular reference to Ireland, our financial services, restrictions on exports, visa bans and travel bans, is she satisfied that Ireland is doing all we can do to ensure we are playing our part in what is, on the face of it, a strict sanctions regime against Russia? Are there any issues she would like to raise with us in that regard? Is there any evidence of circumvention, whether direct or otherwise? Are there any issues this committee might be in a position to assist on as regards our monitoring of the strict sanctions regime?

The final issue is one Deputy Berry has already raised, that of demining assistance. This issue has been raised in committee meetings in the past. We were pleased to see that, as the ambassador has said, the Irish Defence Forces have already provided demining training and two mine blades that Ukraine is actively using.

We understand, however, that there are some manufacturing plants in Ireland and that the Irish Defence Forces have expertise in demining other areas, such as the Golan Heights and Africa, on peacekeeping duties in the past. Demining, either through the provision of equipment or training, is clearly an issue that falls into aid of a non-lethal weapon nature. Does the ambassador have any message to the committee on what further assistance the Department of Defence or Óglaigh na hÉireann, including the Army, might be in a position to provide by way of training or the Government procuring further equipment from manufacturing stores in Ireland?

I acknowledge the ambassador's presence and the ongoing work she undertakes for and on behalf of her Government and its people in Ireland. Her leadership and her being on call 24-7 has been quite remarkable in the past two and a half years. This committee continues to wish her all the best in what has been a crisis period for her. I hope that on the next occasion she visits she will have a more favourable and successful report card to discuss with us.