Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I join the Taoiseach in condemning the ongoing deportation of Ukrainian children to Belarus and Russia. It is something the international community must be incredibly vocal in condemning and find routes to resolve. The events at the weekend raise significant concerns. Whatever about the macro level and what it means for the Russian invasion and the outworking of the war, there are clear concerns we will see an intensification in the short term that will only lead to further suffering by ordinary people, especially in Ukraine.

I note there will be a discussion at the Council meeting on EU-NATO co-operation. That may be timely, following on from the so-called consultative forum that took place through four days and concluded yesterday evening. Although my party was rightly sceptical and critical of the format and purpose of the forum, we nevertheless engaged constructively. I attended for four days, as did other Sinn Féin Deputies. Despite the fact there was no formal role for the Opposition, we took every available opportunity to outline what Ministers largely failed to address, namely, that Ireland has a proud record and tradition of military neutrality and independent foreign policy that has not only served the Irish people well but also allowed us to play a positive and constructive role in the world. Any discussions we have in that regard need to come from that starting point. I am interested to know what the Government plans to convey to European counterparts in the discussions on EU-NATO co-operation. In the first instance, co-operation with NATO or any other military alliance is a matter for individual member states. For the EU to truly reflect and appreciate the diversity of member states on this issue, we should be working with EU colleagues to ensure neutral states are respected as such within the EU treaties to add to the strings on the EU bow in terms of dealing with international issues as they have been formulated. The most concrete statement I have heard from a Government representative in respect of NATO was that of the Tánaiste last year, when he determined that joining NATO would not require a referendum in this State. That is why it is so important we move towards a citizens' assembly to outline and agree a formula of words that will enshrine neutrality in the Constitution.

Several EU Council meetings took place in recent days. On Monday, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council discussed trade-related agricultural issues. It is beyond ironic that while in Ireland there has been sustained discussion on the role of agriculture and our domestic carbon emissions, the Brazilian meat industry has been unveiling plans to increase the cattle herd there by 6.5 million to meet its projected export demand as occurred last autumn. It would be useful to get clarification from the Government that it will be informing the Council of EU leaders that Ireland will resist efforts to conclude a Mercosur trade agreement.

The Foreign Affairs Council, which also met on Monday, decided to renew mandates of two missions to Palestine, namely, the EU border assistance mission at the Rafah crossing point and the EU police mission in the Palestinian territories. In the context of discussing the Palestinian territories in particular, it would be useful to know whether the Government has raised at European level the international commission of inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory. This report found that the rights of civil society members in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory are being violated by authorities in all areas. It is crucial that Ireland provides a leading voice at EU level for actions against the ongoing Israeli attacks and breaches of international law against the Palestinian people.

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