James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their contributions. Deputy Martin Kenny referred to the logic of sanctions and measures to deal with breaches that are necessary and the need to strengthen our laws. I note those comments. I am not sure I agree with his suggestions around controlling capital within the European Union. That is one of the key four pillars of the Union and something that needs to be maintained.

Deputy Howlin rightly argued that Russia's actions in Ukraine are not only a gross violation of human rights and an assault on the people but they threaten the peace and stability of Europe. We have heard a lot from the attorney general in the UK about imminent peril and the definitions around it in respect of the protocol and the false justifications for the legislation they brought in. However, peace and stability within the Continent of Europe is in a state of imminent peril with what is happening in Ukraine and if Russia continues on its way.

On the Proceeds of Crime (Gross Human Rights Abuses) Bill 2020 and the need for a money message, which Deputy Catherine Murphy also raised, I will bring those comments to the Minister, Deputy McEntee. I note Deputy Catherine Murphy's consistent opposition to sanctions against Russia and Deputy Connolly's comments also. I thank the House for facilitating the motion today. I thank those colleagues who have supported the motion for their support.

As I mentioned in my opening remarks, with Russian aggression against Ukraine ongoing it is paramount that EU restrictive measures are fully and consistently implemented. I gave an overview of the measures included in the six packages of EU sanctions that have been agreed since 23 February, the most significant sanctions in the EU's history. Since the start of the war, Ireland has been consistent in advocating for a maximalist approach to sanctions. These sanctions are unprecedented but they are only effective insofar as they are properly implemented. Ireland along with EU partners is working to ensure that EU sanctions are fully implemented and enforced, including through the effective implementation of asset freezes.

Officials across government have been actively participating in the European Commission's freeze and seize task force to ensure the co-ordinated and effective cross-EU implementation of the sanctions adopted against Russian and Belarusian individuals and entities. Four subgroups of the task force have been created to focus on specific issues. The first focuses on identifying and freezing sanctioned assets and reporting on these freezes, the second on criminal investigations and confiscations, the third on the creation of a common European fund to reconstruct Ukraine using confiscated assets, and the fourth and most recently established subgroup looks at tax enforcement.

In view of the gravity of the situation we are currently witnessing, it is vitally important that all necessary measures are taken to ensure those who attempt to violate sanctions are dealt with robustly and consistently across the Union. The addition of the violation of restrictive measures to the list of EU crimes is a necessary first step in fortifying the sanctions regime. Ireland opting in now under an Article 3 opt-in will ensure that we are at the table with our European partners and can be involved in the detailed discussions and in progressing these measures as swiftly as possible to allow progress to take place at EU level without delay. Once this step is complete and violations of sanctions has been added to the list of EU crimes, a new directive will be brought forward to harmonise how the violation of sanctions is defined and penalised in criminal law across member states. I commend the motion to the House.

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