Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise with the Taoiseach the suggestion by the British Government that it is considering introducing legislation that would unilaterally suspend parts of the Northern Ireland protocol. I heard the answer the Taoiseach gave to Deputy Richmond yesterday, when he said he would prefer not to comment at this time as the campaigning for the assembly election is taking place. I will leave it at that for the moment.

I wish to ask instead about the ongoing horrific situation in Ukraine, specifically the issue of war crimes. It is abundantly clear to everyone at this stage that Russia is using illegal methods to defeat the Ukrainian population. Civilians, including children, are being targeted and killed. Illegal bombs are being deployed. Schools, medical facilities and train stations are being blown up. President Zelenskyy has said that genocide is taking place in his country. This needs to be investigated by the International Criminal Court, its investigators and others on the ground in Ukraine. The European Union needs to address this particular matter and assist and support efforts to prove that war crimes have taken place and to bring about prosecutions of those responsible for these actions. I hope that is something the Taoiseach could call for at the next European Council meeting in June.

Would the Taoiseach be prepared to say something at this stage about the decision of the Russian authorities to stop gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria and the efforts of the EU to reduce dependency on Russian gas?

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