Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this Topical Issue and agree entirely with him. This is an extraordinarily serious crisis. As the Deputy may be aware, the Tánaiste issued a statement yesterday outlining his views on the developing crisis in Ukraine, which the Government has followed with growing concern. He indicated that he was appalled at the most recent outbreak of violence this week, which has reportedly left many people dead and many more injured.

Today the Tánaiste is attending an extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels to discuss the crisis. The European Union has identified the formation of a new and inclusive government, progress on constitutional reform, and the preparation for transparent and democratic presidential elections as the key elements needed to restore peace.

Since 18 February, the deadliest clashes to date between anti-government protestors and security forces have taken place in Kiev. The proximate cause of the recent violence may have been the decision by protestors in Independence Square, known as the Maidan, to march to parliament buildings, situated a mile away, on the morning of 18 February. News agencies report that 20,000 protestors were involved in the march, which was timed to coincide with a scheduled discussion in parliament on possible constitutional change. When they were met with large numbers of security forces in the vicinity of the Parliament, violent clashes ensued. Regrettably, later that night emergency talks between President Yanukovych and two opposition leaders, Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Vitali Klitschko, ended in stalemate.

Yesterday morning, riot police using tear gas tried to clear protestors encamped in Independence Square, and a number of casualties, including fatalities, resulted. Despite the agreement of a truce between President Yanukovych and opposition leaders, fresh fighting has taken place in central Kiev today, and there are media reports of further casualties.

The Ukrainian health ministry has today confirmed the deaths of 35 people, including security personnel, and the toll is expected to increase. Hundreds more have been seriously wounded. The authorities have closed Kiev's underground transport system, announced that traffic into the capital will be restricted and called on businesses not to open. Protests have taken place in several other cities, including Lviv in western Ukraine, where demonstrators have reportedly seized government buildings.

There has been international condemnation of the latest outbreak of violence. The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, expressed his shock at reports of violence in Ukraine and has urged the immediate renewal of genuine dialogue between all sides. The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, issued a statement on 18 February condemning all use of violence, including against public or party buildings. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe has called upon all political forces in Ukraine to act responsibly and refrain from further violent actions.

I recall that from the outset, the European Union has been actively involved in facilitating the search for a peaceful and negotiated solution to the crisis. It has stressed the obligations of the authorities to respect and protect the fundamental rights of the Ukrainian people and has stated that a democratic solution must be sought through inclusive dialogue. This is a message that High Representative Ashton has conveyed repeatedly in her recent visits to Kiev.

It is clear that the use of force, from whichever quarter, cannot resolve the political crisis in Ukraine. Immediate steps must be taken to calm the rising tension. Both sides have a shared responsibility to build trust and to create the conditions necessary to chart a way forward through dialogue in the parliament, rather than confrontation in the streets. Further bloodshed will deepen divisions and make it even more difficult to reach a political solution to which all sides state they are committed. President Yanukovych and his Government have a particular responsibility to act to enable a meaningful dialogue with opposition leaders. They should take the necessary steps without delay.

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