Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to have an opportunity to speak briefly in advance of the upcoming European Council meeting. Clearly, the first and major item that will be discussed in the formal sessions is the awful conflict in Ukraine, and I imagine en margeeven more detailed briefings will be given to members, having regard to the illegal attack on a sovereign state by Russia and the evolving situation there, particularly what has happened over the weekend. I imagine even in the next couple of days that situation might well fundamentally change. There is talk now that the private plane of the former Russian Prime Minister and former President Medvedev is in Qatar. There is talk that one of the most senior generals in the Russian army had prior knowledge of the coup. Therefore, I think there will be further developments there.

What is not in doubt is the solidarity being offered by all members of the democratic community, and I include in that all members of the European Union, to Ukraine. In concrete financial terms, a total of €75 billion has been allocated to Ukraine, both in military support from those countries which are capable and wish to do that and in humanitarian support from others. I had the opportunity last year to visit Ukraine first hand, see the devastation in places like Bucha, Makariv and Irpin, and speak to the people directly concerned.

It is important that Deputies here talk about peace and Ireland's role in that. It is also important we understand there must be the capacity to resist armed aggression. Otherwise there is no international rules-based order. There is a unique opportunity for Ireland to develop our own significant neutral posture as a force for good and a force for persuasion. I am aware in much of the debate that we sometimes exaggerate the role Ireland has played historically in that. There are other countries such as Switzerland or Norway which have been much more proactive in peacebuilding and I hope that will form part, not only of our presentations to other European partners, but also of the future posture of Ireland.

The second big agenda item that will be discussed is, obviously, building a resilient economy in Europe. We need to have responses. We discussed that the previous time we had these discussions on how we can respond or react. In the United States, there is formal state support through enormous sums of money to develop robust new technologies in America. I read today that the state of New York, for example, is matching this very generous support from the American taxpayer with state support of up to $5.5 billion to develop the capacity within that state for chip manufacturing. We need to be ambitious within the European Union to match that sort of issue.

On a much more modest basis, we need to look at how we deal how the relaxation of state aid rules have been taken advantage by some but not by others, and this is a matter I have raised formally with the Taoiseach. Germany and France have been to the fore in ensuring their industries that need state aid to develop have been enabled to do that. We should look formally for derogations from any state aid rules that would allow us to develop to our full potential, in particular, to be parochial, to ensure our offshore renewable energy capacity is fully developed from this State. That means championing ports, Rosslare Europort in particular, as a base to facilitate the development of offshore renewable energy. I hope the Government will ensure there are no impediments to direct supports and investments to ensure we have the capacity to do that. I know both the Taoiseach and the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, are fully cognisant of that, particularly the Minister of State from his previous role. I hope there will be some level of commitment given to the House in that regard and, if there are any issues, that they will be addressed by the Taoiseach when he is talking to his colleagues in Brussels.

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