Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful for the Taoiseach's update on his recent trip to Ukraine. It was important that visit went ahead. He got to see how bad things are out there and how much assistance will be required by Ukraine, in particular during the reconstruction phase. I also welcome the opportunity to comment on the outcome of the recent European Council summit on 23 and 24 June in Brussels. I agree with most of the recommendations and minutes, especially in regard to welcoming Ukraine and Moldova and granting them status as accession countries to the European Union. That is a good thing. I also welcome the fact it has been extended to Georgia as well once certain conditions have been met. That is a positive development. I note the Irish embassy in Ukraine is back up and running - that is my understanding - but I do not believe we have anyone in Moldova. We only have a consulate that is run from Romania. If we are genuinely interested in guiding Moldova through the accession process, this might be worth considering into the future. I would certainly be in favour of that. The current caretaker Prime Minister of the UK would be of the view that the EU is the devil incarnate, but obviously the EU is doing something right if so many countries, particularly in eastern Europe and the Balkans, are keen to join.

It is only right the Russian war in Ukraine was mentioned a good deal at the conference. That is appropriate. I agree with the EU's call for a cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Russian troops. There is little chance of that happening. I note with concern its view on the multiple reports of abduction and forced relocation of children from Ukraine. That is very concerning. I also agree with the condemnation of the deliberate targeting by Russia of civilian infrastructure and civilians. This is totally unacceptable. I welcome the sixth package of sanctions. I look forward to the seventh package but there needs to be more focus on the implementation aspect. I welcome the call for more military, humanitarian, economic and financial support for Ukraine. It has an inherent right to self-defence in this scenario. It is obvious who the aggressor is. We certainly should offer any support we can. The extra €9 billion will make a difference. That is certainly something to which we should contribute.

The food security issue, especially in the port of Odessa has been mentioned other Deputies already, in particular Deputy Howlin. We have a great tradition in this House of commenting on matters that have already occurred. I hope that over the summer there will be some international operation, negotiated in advance, and I believe the UN Secretary General is working on this at the moment involving Russia, Ukraine and perhaps Turkey, to get as much grain as possible out of Odessa through the Black Sea. Mines will have to be moved, merchant shipping made available and perhaps Russian or Turkish naval assets might be used to secure a corridor. I agree with the proposal to move as much grain as possible over land via rail and road, but as Deputy Howlin said, there is not the capacity to move everything, so we have to look at a freighter option from a maritime perspective as well.

In regard to the energy crisis, I do not need to tell anyone here how bad the energy crisis is, even in Ireland, but there was mention in the minutes of how the EU could explore options with its international partners to curb prices. I would be in favour of that. Specific mention was made of a temporary import price cap. I agree with the principle and it sounds right, but I am not sure how that would play out or what it would look like. If the Minister of State could elaborate on that in his closing remarks, that would be very much appreciated.

In summary, I welcome the outcome of the summit and look forward to the next one in October in Prague.

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