Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Haughey raised the importance of making sure that evidence is gathered and that we bring the evidence of the appalling war crimes to the International Criminal Court, which I wholeheartedly support. Everybody condemns the appalling and indiscriminate murder of civilians in Bucha and in other towns in the environs of Kyiv. One is also conscious that in Mariupol and other cities, more horrendous situations may emerge, which unquestionably represent the worst of humanity.

On sanctions, we support banning oil and coal imports from Russia and along with other EU member states we have been pushing for that although it has to be agreed by all 27 EU member states. I will assess the situation when I leave the Chamber but we want the strongest possible sanctions. We are mindful that we are not as dependent on Russian gas as other countries. Sometimes it can be easier for countries that will not be as impacted as others to start calling for measures. The overriding principle has to be that these measures punish the Russian Federation more than member states. So far, the sanctions have been unprecedented and severe and we will have to continue to do everything we can to keep the pressure on to stop this war. We must raise the prospect of international criminal trials to bring war criminals to justice as part of that.

Deputy Brendan Smith's points followed on from that and I strongly support his points about the EU perspective of many states in the neighbourhood of Russia.

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