Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this important Topical Issue. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello, to the House. I understand the mission in which the Tánaiste is engaged and I am glad the Minister of State can be with us.

On 23 January my colleague and Fianna Fáil spokesperson on foreign affairs and trade, Deputy Brendan Smith, raised this very serious matter in the House, condemning in the strongest possible terms the use of state violence to prohibit any type of demonstration against the government in Ukraine. The fatalities on the streets of Kiev in January shocked Europe and the world, and at the time Fianna Fáil called on the Tánaiste and Minister for Affairs and Trade to drive the call at European level for sanctions against those responsible for the fatalities. We also called for intense European engagement to prevent further violence in Ukraine. Unfortunately, what we have seen since then is a dismal and inadequate response from our Government and, more significantly, from the European Union.

Events in Ukraine have taken another fatal and tragic turn, with the deaths of more protesters. The situation is becoming increasingly dangerous and has begun to teeter on the point of civil war. A tentative agreement between the government and the opposition broke down and lives are being lost in the streets of Kiev as we speak. I contend that the European Union must stand for peace, stability and safety throughout the continent. The prospect of a civil war at the gates of Europe in 2014 is extremely serious. There must be clear, determined action arising from today's meeting of the EU foreign Ministers.

Last month Fianna Fáil pointed out that the increasingly authoritarian style exhibited by the Ukrainian Government was of great concern and huge questions were being raised about human rights in the country, but our Government remained silent. It folded its hands and stated it could do nothing. It appears the Minister fails to recognise that Ireland, as a neutral country outside NATO, has an important role to play in acting as an honest broker in this crisis at European level. Our voice must be raised in support of those who seek democratic reform and a peaceful resolution to this awful crisis.

The European Union has failed to grasp the gravity of the situation in Ukraine. It is still debating the possibility of sanctions against those responsible for the violence. These sanctions have been debated for weeks and the crisis continues to escalate. The crisis is on our doorstep. It ignited following the failure of EU trade talks with Ukraine, and we understand the history between Ukraine, Europe and Russia. This is critical for the European Union. The bloodshed witnessed on the streets of Kiev is totally unacceptable. A failure to act to support democracy, put pressure on President Yanukovych and stand against the abuse of power in Ukraine would seriously damage the position of the European Union on the world stage. Fianna Fáil believes there is a clear case for sanctions to be imposed on Ukraine and the European Union must act quickly and decisively. The Government should reiterate its call for the release of Yulia Tymoshenko, the former Ukrainian prime minister, imprisoned in the country.

The European Union must wake up to the reality of what is happening in Ukraine. Words are not enough. They must be accompanied by action.

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