Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I fully agree with what the Deputy said about the seriousness of this act. There is no question but that the international hijacking, effectively, of an aircraft and forcing it to land is totally unacceptable. I reiterate we are working with our international partners in response to this. We are determined to ensure accountability and will continue to support measures that seek to make those responsible, not just for this but for all human rights violations in Belarus, accountable for their actions. The Irish people have long had a care and concern for the people of Belarus that goes back to the Chernobyl disaster and its aftermath.

We have supported the Belarusian people and Belarusian civil society in many ways. I take the Deputy's point on board that this is a very serious international incident and we will continue to work to ensure accountability for it.

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