Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy also does not have a monopoly on the freedoms we all desire. That clears up that issue.

On the Istanbul Convention, which was helpfully raised by the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and Deputy Barry, again, we have issued a strong statement on that matter through the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney. Also, at the General Affairs Council this week it was raised under any other business where everybody agreed to condemn the disgraceful decision by the Turkish Government to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention. It is outrageous.

Not only is the Istanbul Convention associated with Turkey in respect of its place of signing but Turkey was a party to it. For that country to take such a retrograde step on the convention is absolutely outrageous. That is the clear position of the Government and I share the concerns of Deputies Barry and Connolly in this regard.

In regard to vaccinations, Deputy Connolly referred to Cuba and Deputy McDonald to Russia. It might be helpful for me to talk about the contracts that have been agreed by the EU. At the moment, there are four vaccines approved for use in the EU, namely, Pfizer, which is doing a fantastic job in getting supply out, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. I understand that CureVac and Sanofi are at the closest stage to approval and there are other vaccines, such as Novavax, in respect of which contract discussions are under way. In addition, the European Medicines Agency is looking at the Sputnik V vaccine. Everybody wants to find easy solutions to the issue of vaccines but there are no easy solutions. Based on what Professor Brian MacCraith and the European Commission have said, particularly Commissioner Thierry Breton, who is a businessman and is currently going around Europe to answer the question Deputy Ó Murchú put by looking at everything and making sure every last facility is used to produce vaccines, we can safely say that vaccine supply is going to ramp up massively in quarter 2, which begins next week. Professor MacCraith is on the public record as saying that a huge delivery will come in next Wednesday.

In regard to what AstraZeneca is doing, we believe it has acted disgracefully in its dealings with the European Commission. I do not know the exact position with the vaccines in Italy. The situation is certainly disputed very strongly between the Commission and AstraZeneca. When we talk about those vaccines going to Britain, we should not forget that they are also pumping up the Northern Ireland vaccine strategy. For these and other obvious trade reasons, we have not advocated a ban on exports, as the Taoiseach very eloquently and sensibly outlined. There is too much at stake in the interaction between member states and trade.

The Taoiseach has gone through the issues that will be raised at the Council meeting and I have tried to outline some of those issues in a very general way. EU leaders will take the opportunity at the meeting to discuss a number of external relations issues. The focus this week will be on the EU's relations with Russia and Turkey. In regard to Russia, because the meeting is being conducted by videoconference, that discussion will be taken as an information point only. It is not expected on this occasion that there will be a detailed discussion on Russia. Since 2016, the EU's engagement with Russia has been guided by five principles. Implementation of the Minsk agreements in regard to the conflict in Ukraine is the key condition of any substantial change in the EU's stance towards Russia. The other principles are closer ties with our former Soviet neighbours, strengthening EU resilience to Russian threats, selective engagement with Russia where this is in the EU's interest and increased support for people-to-people contacts and Russian civil society as a whole.

We fully support the approach taken by the Union towards Russia. EU relations with that country have been the subject of regular discussions at the Council in recent years. When they met on 1 and 2 September last year, EU leaders condemned the assassination attempt on Alexei Navalny. I urge some on the left in Irish political life to join in that condemnation. Since then, things have worsened. Mr. Navalny's imprisonment and the harsh treatment of protesters following his return to Russia, as well as developments such as the foreign agents law, have given rise to even greater concerns about the human rights situation and shrinking civil society space in Russia. It is important, therefore, that our strategic relationship with Russia remains on the European Council agenda. There will be an opportunity for detailed discussion among leaders when they meet in person in due course.

The EU's foreign affairs Ministers, including the Minister, Deputy Coveney, discussed relations with Russia when they met in February and again when they met earlier this week. Ireland's position then, as now, is that there can be no substantial improvement in EU-Russia relations until we see the implementation of the Minsk peace agreements in regard to the conflict in Ukraine. EU sanctions against Russia in respect of Ukraine continue to be applied. In December, leaders endorsed a new EU global human rights sanctions regime and Ireland supports the use of this regime against Russia in light of the serious violations of human rights that have taken place there. At the same time, of course, we need to engage selectively on issues of shared importance and responsibility such as climate change, the Arctic and global health challenges. We need to enhance people-to-people contacts and, more broadly, strengthen our engagement with eastern partnership countries as part of our overall strategic focus and in line with the five principles approach.

In regard to the Sputnik V vaccine, the Government has been very clear that if the vaccine is approved by the EMA and can be manufactured, we have no difficulty with it. However, we certainly are not going to provide a vaccine that has not been approved. Members should also note that the roll-out of the vaccine in Russia has been incredibly slow and is way behind what we have achieved in this country. In addition, in many countries in eastern Europe, it has caused political consternation when the vaccine has been introduced, particularly because it has not yet been authorised by the EMA.

EU relations with Turkey and the situation in the eastern Mediterranean have been a recurring item on the European Council agenda in recent years and leaders will return to those issues this week. It was agreed in December to consider this item in light of a report to be prepared by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles. The report was published on 20 March and was considered by EU foreign Ministers when they met on Monday. In December, EU leaders made clear that a positive political EU-Turkey agenda was on offer provided Turkey adopted a more constructive approach towards Greece and Cyprus. From Ireland's perspective, it seems that Turkey has taken a more constructive approach in recent months, particularly in regard to the withdrawal of research vessels to port from disputed waters near Greece and from the Cypriot exclusive economic zone. In these circumstances, it could be appropriate for the EU to send a positive signal to Turkey on the steps that can be expected if its constructive approach continues.

However, the issue with the Istanbul Convention, on which I have commented, certainly is a difficulty. The Taoiseach will be keen to hear the views of Greece and Cyrus on recent developments. Our solidarity is always with them as the EU countries most directly affected by Turkey's actions. We have always shown solidarity with them, as they have done with us, including, for example, throughout the Brexit process.

I welcome the stated intention of the Commission to prepare options rapidly for continued funding for refugees and host communities in Turkey. Ten years on from the start of the war in Syria, we cannot forget the people driven from their homes by that terrible conflict.

It is appropriate that what is proposed now in respect of Turkey is an incremental approach. All options should be kept on the table. There are grounds to hope that this week can mark the beginning of more positive and co-operative relations between the EU and Turkey. It will not happen overnight. It might happen in time and, with good will, it will bring benefits to both.

I thank Members for their engagement in this debate. The Taoiseach will report to the House following the European Council meeting. As Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, I will endeavour to answer Deputies' questions arising out of that meeting.

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