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

Once again, I thank Deputies for their questions. Deputy Haughey raised the issue of Russian vessels operating off our coast. These vessels are in international waters rather than our territorial waters. They are permitted to be there but they are operating in our exclusive economic zone, which is of particular importance to us. The Naval Service and Air Corps are monitoring them. We obviously co-operate with our EU allies and have access to satellite information as well. As Deputies pointed out, many subsea telecommunication cables run along the seabed in our exclusive economic zone. There is a concern that they could be interfered with if there is an escalation in hostilities between Europe and Russia, particularly in view of the damage that was done to the Nord Stream pipelines. However, it is just a concern at this stage. We have no evidence as yet of any hostile act. It is a situation that has to be monitored carefully, but it is important we do not escalate it. It is a concern and we are monitoring the situation but, again, we have no evidence yet of any hostile acts by Russian forces or vessels regarding Ireland.

On the trade matters raised by Deputy McDonald, I will have to seek advice on the implications of that European decision for Ireland. I will certainly do that. I have read about it in the papers but have not seen anything formally as regards a briefing as yet. When it comes to the occupied territories Bill, the Government's view is that trade is an exclusive EU competence. Any trade sanctions imposed on any country should be done at European level and not unilaterally by Ireland as a member state. Indeed, such action may even be a violation of the treaties. There was advice from a previous Attorney General on that.

The issue of the ISIF mandate was also raised by Deputies. Legislation has been passed to prevent ISIF from investing in fossil fuels, for example. I am not sure whether any legislation exists as regards its remit with respect to other countries. I will have to check with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael McGrath, on that. If we do make it part of its mandate, I do not think it would be right to target any one country. We would have to look at it in the round and make sure, if its mandate prevents it from investing in some countries or some parts of some countries, that we do not single out any particular country but look at things in the round and maybe have a list. I do not know enough about the detail of ISIF's investments to comment any further but I will certainly let the Minister know it was raised in the House.

I received some briefings on the EWCs in correspondence with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in my former role as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Things may have moved on a little since then. The file is now being handled by the Minister of State at that Department, Deputy Richmond. I will let him know it was raised and ask him to come back to Deputies by correspondence.

I am very much aware of the case of Mr. Phelan, who is being detained in Iran. The Department of Foreign Affairs is working on it and we are doing all we can to ensure that man is released as soon as possible. We are aware that he is in poor health, and we are concerned about that. As Deputies will be aware, however, Iran is not the friendliest of regimes towards Ireland at the moment, and vice versa. Nevertheless, we are doing all we can and hope the issue will be seen as a humanitarian one and set aside politics in the interests of a man who is very sick and needs to get home to his family.

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