Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am very grateful for the opportunity to make some brief comments on the outcome of the most recent EU Council meeting in Brussels in December. I thank the Tánaiste for his background briefs to the House, which were very useful.

I welcome that the meeting's agenda was rightly dominated by the situation in Ukraine brought about by the unnecessary and illegal attack by the Russian Federation. I welcome the condemnation of the completely unacceptable missile strike and drone attacks, which specifically targeted civilian infrastructure. These were a complete war crime and a crime against humanity, and should be condemned as strongly as possible, which they have been. I welcome in particular the promotion of accountability, or at least the principle of it. I recognise that establishing a special court regarding what is going on is a difficult enterprise but it was done in respect of the former Yugoslavia, which is a very good model to work on. Will the accountability component deter these acts? Probably not, but a small fraction of them might be deterred, which means this measure is to be welcomed.

I completely acknowledge and recognise the promotion of the prospect of a just peace. However, I am very realistic about the prospects for it. I do not think the Russian Federation, particularly the current Kremlin regime, has any interest in a peaceful resolution. If it had, it would not have undertaken the journey it did 11 months ago. I welcome the principle but I am conscious of the unrealistic nature of it. Rather than a peaceful solution, we are far more likely to see an escalation in the next few weeks, probably before St. Patrick's Day, depending on the weather. We are looking at a major intensification of the fighting, which will be much worse this year than last. We do not want this to happen but we have to deal with the reality that it is the most likely scenario based on circumstances in Ukraine at present.

I welcome the call for the ending of the death penalty in Iran. What has happened there in respect of peaceful protest is outrageous and scandalous. There are kangaroo courts and extra-judicial killings of people who legitimately protested against an illegitimate regime. The fact that there was condemnation of Iran's provision to the Russian Federation of drones that targeted civilians in Ukraine is a good way to go.

On a positive note, and it is very important to finish on such a note, I welcome the European Union's engagement with its southern neighbourhood. We have a migrant crisis, which has arrived in Ireland for sure, and it is key to address the legitimate issues in the villages and towns in the countries of origin. The EU's southern neighbourhood needs to be given a fair chance through overseas assistance aid and fair trading practices so that they can improve and develop from a societal and economic perspective in step with their European cousins.

I welcome that President Roberta Metsola will address both Houses on Thursday. It is a positive step. MEPs communicate directly to their national parliaments about the European Parliament but it is always good to get a direct communication from the EU President. The fact that the next EU Commission summit on Ukraine will take place on Friday on Ukrainian soil is also a positive step.

I will finish with a question. The Minister of State may not have the details to hand but perhaps he could follow up. My understanding is that Ireland has provided, or at least pledged, €66 million in aid to the European Peace Facility. How much of that has been drawn down? I hear very limited amounts have been drawn down so far. If it has been drawn down, what specifically has it been spent on? I ask for an itemised list of non-lethal items that have been purchased using it. I thank the Minister of State for hearing me out.

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