Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----and has a profit remit. I think what we are talking about is a model that was tried in the Soviet Union and places like that, where it did not work out so well.

In response to Deputy Haughey's question, like him, I do not support removing unanimity when it comes to sanctions. Unfortunately, there is evidence of circumvention, not particularly by EU countries, to the best of our knowledge, but by some countries that are located around the EU. We see that there are unusual changes in trade flows and trade statistics that indicate that circumvention may be occurring. That reminds us that Russia does have some friends out there, notwithstanding what it has done, and there are some countries that have no choice but to be Russia's friend for various reasons. This is a serious situation. I also welcome the appointment of Mr. David O'Sullivan as the special envoy for sanctions.

Deputy Durkan asked about the terrible earthquake that happened in Türkiye and Syria and the appalling human consequences. On behalf of the Government, I wrote to President Erdoğan to express my most sincere condolences on the loss of life and the destruction that occurred as a consequence of the earthquakes. Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by the earthquakes and their aftershocks. We are providing €10 million in humanitarian assistance to the people of Türkiye and north-west Syria. That is being done through the UN's humanitarian fund for Syria, the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies and Irish NGOs working on the ground, including Concern and Goal. I extend my condolences to Goal and the families and friends of all Goal workers who lost their lives in the earthquakes. The situation in Syria is of particular concern, given the civil war there, and Ireland and the international community will work through the UN to ensure a speedy provision of aid to the parts of Syria that need it most.

Deputy Paul Donnelly asked about state aid. I agree with what he said about skills and the need to make sure we have a pipeline of people who have the skills to work in the renewable energy sector and to help us to build those windfarms and to deploy all those solar panels. Let us not forget, though, that they are often the same people we are asking to build and to retrofit all the houses and to build the metro, and there are only so many people who can do so many things. That is a challenge we face-----

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