Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his supplementary questions. The European Union has been very much engaged from the outset in the Ukrainian crisis. From the outset, Catherine Ashton has travelled to Kiev quite a number of times to represent the European Union through the European External Action Service. She has reported back and the issue has been discussed on a regular basis at the Council of Ministers. The extraordinary meeting that was called for today is considering carefully what further action will be taken. All possible options will be explored at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels today, including restrictive measures against those responsible for human rights violations, violence and the use of excessive force. The Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Poland were in Kiev this morning, where they met President Yanukovych and opposition leaders and they will report on their visit to the Council. As the Deputy is aware, the Tánaiste is at that Council at present and will take the opportunity to speak strongly on the matter. The international community must send Ukraine the clear message that the images seen on the streets of a European capital city in recent days are not acceptable. Ireland believes the use of force cannot be as a means of resolving the political stalemate in Ukraine. The only sustainable way forward is a genuine political engagement in an inclusive dialogue to meet the legitimate democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people. International organisations such as the European Union, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the United Nations potentially could play a constructive role in facilitating a resolution to the current crisis that respects the rights of all Ukrainians. However, there is a particular responsibility on President Yanukovych and his Government to take urgent steps to enable such a dialogue and to help de-escalate the situation. Consequently, the Government urges him today to take the necessary steps to put an end to bloodshed and the tragic loss of life on the Ukrainian streets.

This is the context in which the Tánaiste will be lending his voice to the debate, which no doubt will be very robust. In respect of the former prime minister, Yulia Tymonshenko, Ireland has called consistently for human rights and the proper procedure of law to be adhered to for her release. This position always has been put strongly on the record over a period. The Tánaiste also has engaged with the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr. Lavrov, in respect of these matters. It is something in which Ireland has taken a regular interest over a period of time before the present crisis. I do not know whether there has been a discussion in Cabinet on the matter as that is something of which I have no direct knowledge. However, I am sure I can supply that information to the Deputy.

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