Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will take the time, if I may, because there are a number of issues that may not have been touched on.

I join colleagues in offering my deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Detective Garda Colm Horkan. It is a sad day if a member of An Garda Síochána goes to work and unfortunately does not return home. I thank the gardaí for the work they do daily.

I thank the Deputies for their statements and questions on the June European Council. I will revert to some of the Deputies with further detail.

As the Taoiseach indicated, I will focus my wrap-up remarks on the situation in eastern Ukraine and the eastern partnership summit that took place by video conference last Thursday. Since March 2014, the EU has progressively imposed restrictive measures on Russia. The measures were adopted in response to Russia's actions undermining the sovereignty of Ukraine. From the outset, Ireland has been unwavering in its support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. There is increasing concern over the humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine, in particular given the Covid-19 crisis. We continue to receive reports that the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine and relief organisations continue to be denied passage to the non-government-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine.

Leaders stressed the importance of solidarity in the Covid-19 crisis, including through the EU's substantial supports to address the impact of the outbreak. Through what is known as the Normandy Format, France and Germany have been in dialogue with Russia and Ukraine to implement the 2014 Minsk peace deal and find a peaceful solution to the situation in Ukraine. Chancellor Angela Merkel briefed EU leaders on the state of play regarding the Minsk agreement since the most recent Heads of State Normandy Format summit, which took place in December 2019. While three prisoner exchanges have taken place, the lack of substantial progress on the implementation of the Minsk peace deal and Russia's ongoing military support for separatists provide a clear and continuing basis for extending the targeted economic sanctions. The eastern partnership summit that took place on 18 June delivered a uniform message of solidarity from EU leaders to the six partner countries. Appreciation of the strategic importance of the partnership was expressed by all members and participants. The summit provided the opportunity for high level exchange on the long-term policy objectives of the eastern partnership and helped set the state of play for the physical summit to be held in March 2021. Leaders stressed the importance of solidarity during the Covid-19 crisis, including through the EU's substantial support to address the impact of the outbreak in the eastern partnership region. The Taoiseach welcomed the eastern partnership's renewed focus on strengthening resilience in the region, not only in the context of the current pandemic but also across all areas, including democracy, economy, security, media, gender equality and health. To strengthen resilience, the Taoiseach suggested championing the youth sector and civil society. In this regard, it is Ireland's intention, as soon as it will allow, to work with the European Commission and partner countries on a project on youth and culture.

At the summit, leaders agreed to continue to work together to overcome disinformation. This is particularly important during the ongoing Covid crisis, when disinformation can cost lives. A number of participants emphasised the importance of starting preparations now for next year's physical summit and to identify deliverables on all the proposed areas of co-operation: economy and connectivity, accountable institutions, the rule of law, security, the green and digital transformations, and fair and inclusive societies. The Taoiseach availed himself of an opportunity to mark that Ireland will open its first resident mission in a partner country when it opens its embassy in Kiev later this year, if of course Covid-19 circumstances allow it.

I thank all Deputies for their statements. The Taoiseach will continue to report to the House in advance of and following regular Council meetings.

I thank the Croatian Presidency for its work over the past six months. It has been a particularly difficult time for it given the current circumstances. In particular, I congratulate it on the progress made on opening the accession negotiations for North Macedonia and Albania. Enlargement is an extremely important issue and one that Ireland supports. I wish the German Presidency well. It has a challenging and difficult few months ahead.

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