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

Deputy Mac Lochlainn raised the issue of the impact of Brexit on fisheries, which was significant because the approach of the Government of the United Kingdom to the fishery negotiations left it until the 11th hour. A no-deal Brexit would have been ruinous and had appalling consequences for our fishing industry. Brexit has led to a reduction, particularly in terms of the pelagic fleet, because of decommissioning and so on but, in fairness to the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, he has worked with the industry and the Department to try to achieve the best possible outcome in terms of the allocation of funding to the industry in respect of that and also the other issues that continue to arise in respect of regulatory frameworks governing the weighing of fish, for example, and all of that. There have been challenges and Commission investigations. We want to work with the fishing industry to develop a stronger relationship with the European Commission in the fullness of time and to have the proper regulatory frameworks in place and be in a position to develop the industry because it is a very important industry in our coastal communities. I will speak to the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, regarding the specific issues the Deputy has raised. I know he is working on them.

Deputy Haughey raised the issues of the Northern protocol and the horrific situation in Ukraine. As I stated yesterday, it is important that all Governments adhere to international agreements and work with like-minded Governments on any issues of concern. I am conscious of the electoral cycle at the moment. There is an upcoming election to the Assembly and the Executive and I would prefer to hold back comments on those general issues until after the election.

As regards Ukraine and the International Criminal Court, we have allocated €3 million in additional funding to strengthen the resources of the court. We believe war crimes have been committed in Ukraine - there is no question about that - and the people responsible need to be brought to account. I met the Ukrainian Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal, in Shannon last Wednesday and assured him of our strongest possible support for Ukraine, including providing supports for those who have arrived in Ireland having had to flee their homes. I also made clear my support for Ukraine's application to join the European Union and for the further sixth round of sanctions against Russia. We have joined 40 countries in referring what is happening in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court and we will look at other ways that we can get accountability for these heinous crimes.

The European Union has provided €1.5 billion of a package of European peace facility support for the Ukrainian armed forces. Ireland is contributing its full share of €33 million, which will go towards non-lethal elements. Discussions on further sanctions continue, particularly with regard to banning imports of oil from Russia. We will continue to support the widest possible sanctions. Ireland has frozen more than €1.2 billion of Russian assets as of 22 April and the European Union amended existing sanctions to better facilitate humanitarian access and work in Ukraine, including by the International Committee of the Red Cross, UN agencies and certain humanitarian organisations. The Government has provided €20 million in humanitarian aid through the UN and NGO partners in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. A deep and dedicated Ukraine civil society fund of €2 million will specifically support Irish NGOs responding to the crisis. Deputy Brendan Smith also raised issues relating to this.

The Russian invasion is also now putting immense pressure on global food and nutrition security, driving up prices for essential food and agricultural commodities. The worst impact will be felt by the poorest counties as well as those that are reliant on imports for their food security. As I stated earlier in the House, energy, food and a migration crisis are part of the war effort of the Russian Federation and that is designed to put pressure on European member states or, in other words, to take the pressure off the Russian Federation ultimately, but that will not happen. I agree with Deputy Brendan Smith that we need to accelerate the application by Ukraine for membership of the European Union and I have articulated that, as well as for other countries in the neighbourhood, such as Georgia and Moldova.

In response to Deputy Barry, I would maybe argue a bit differently - that what we witnessed in the French election was the triumph of the centre. I think President Macron stuck to his principles and values. I do not see him as a right-wing leader at all, which Deputy Barry more or less asserted that he is. I communicated my strongest and warmest congratulations to Emmanuel Macron on his decisive victory in the French presidential election. I think he has been a strong leader of France and within the European Union as well. I think it was important for the European Union that he was elected because he is a committed and passionate upholder of the values of the Union. He is, in my view, genuinely a principled leader. That is something I would have to say. There are challenges, including the whole area of misinformation and disinformation and the growth of right-wing politics across Europe and the world. There are many factors responsible for that and I take the Deputy's point about cost of living and so on being a dominant element of the election. The radical left also did reasonably well in the first round of voting.

Deputy Paul Murphy raised the Catalangate issue. The Spanish Government has made clear it was not involved. The Pegasus software has been used widely across the world. It is a matter for the Spanish authorities and political system to deal with. I will seek to be briefed further on the matter but that is the current situation in regard to it.

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