Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I had a meeting with the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade this morning, and I welcome his comments about the Irish citizen Ibrahim Halawa, particularly his statement that the only successful and acceptable outcome to his case would be his release and early return to Ireland. We would all mirror those remarks, which were quite helpful. It is quite clear that unless he is released, Ibrahim Halawa will face a mass trial with no possibility of getting a fair trial or justice. I urge the Minister of State to raise this case at the European Council when external relations are being discussed and to make every head of state aware that an Irish and EU citizen has had his human rights violated and is languishing in jail without any real prospect of justice.

I note that the European Council will also discuss EU relations with Russia and the situation in Ukraine. We are extremely concerned about hostilities in the east of Ukraine which have killed and injured civilians and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes. The UN says that more than 5,600 people have been killed in the conflict since April, but there are fears that the actual death toll could be much higher. Therefore, it is very welcome that the ceasefire negotiated between France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia is, by all accounts, now holding. It offers the potential for peace and a glimmer of hope to the Ukrainian people. It is a step in the right direction. However, it is only one step, and there are many outstanding issues to be resolved. The humanitarian situation and the real chance of flare-ups and the outright conflict still remain. It is important that at this sensitive time, further arming of any side is not considered. Foreign states need to remove themselves from negatively interfering in Ukraine's domestic political process to advance their own selfish interests, and support the fledgling Ukrainian peace process. Britain has recently announced that it will send military personnel to Ukraine in the coming weeks. According to David Cameron, they will be there to provide training and advice to the Ukraine military. It is believed the force will amount to around 75 soldiers. The US has already said it is planning to send a battalion of soldiers to train three Ukrainian battalions. This is not helpful, as I said to the Minister yesterday. We know from our own experience of conflict resolution that demilitarisation, rather than greater militarisation, is needed. Will the European Council discuss this? What is Ireland's position on EU countries providing direct military support for Ukraine? Let us be clear: we all condemn Russia's military involvement in support of the rebels, but direct military intervention, particularly from NATO states, is counterproductive. I say that for the benefit of the Fianna Fáil Member who has left the Chamber.

Since the last European Council meeting, a motion was unanimously passed in the Dáil and Seanad calling on the Government to recognise Palestine. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade recently visited Israel and Palestine. Surely a meeting between the Government and its EU partners is an opportune time to inform them that Ireland will officially recognise the State of Palestine, in line with the wishes of the Oireachtas and the vast majority of the people of Ireland. Can the Government outline whether it will use the opportunity to recognise the State of Palestine, or will it continue to ignore the clear demands of the Oireachtas and Irish citizens?

Yesterday, Israeli authorities demolished EU-funded shelters in occupied East Jerusalem. EU funds helped to pay for some 200 temporary buildings used as shelters in villages inhabited by Bedouin communities just outside East Jerusalem.

Israel, in its efforts to displace Bedouin communities, moved in the bulldozers. Will the Irish side raise this issue, ensure the human rights of the Bedouin are protected and seek reparations from Israel for the destruction of EU-funded shelters?

The European Council will also discuss the energy union. Sinn Féin is fully committed to the development of renewable energy, not just in Ireland but throughout Europe and the world. There needs to be a secure price for renewable energy sold from Ireland in any future project. Ireland has massive potential in renewable energy development, but developing this energy for export is only viable if it is economical. This must be a key component in any future deal on a connector between Ireland and France or Europe in general. Will the Minister of State raise Ireland's concerns, particularly with regard to fracking, during these discussions? Will the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources work with the European Commission to investigate how an integrated energy market would work and assess if and how an integrated energy market would benefit Ireland and Irish citizens?

I wish the Minister of State well at the Council meeting. Clearly, many issues must be discussed, and the Minister of State must stand up for Ireland at the meeting.

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