Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It shows the significance of the issue that the Ceann Comhairle gave comment on it. It lends great gravity to the particular issue in Belarus. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for that.

I thank Deputies Joan Collins and Pringle for their responses which were constructive and in a spirit of partnership. It is evident that there is support across this House for the protection of human rights in Belarus, from the Ceann Comhairle down.

I would like to reassure all Deputies that Ireland and the EU will continue to give this situation our focused attention, and continue to extend assistance to those who seek to promote and protect human rights in Belarus, and take action against those who are responsible for violating them. We will also continue to raise the situation in international multilateral bodies such as the UN and, obviously, with our European partners.

Deputy Joan Collins made a specific issue of medical aid. It is a matter I will bring to the attention of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin.

It is important to add that, together with our EU partners, we have condemned the involvement of Belarus in Russia's unprovoked and unjustified full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. In response to the invasion, since late February, the EU has adopted a wide range of sanctions targeting both Russia and Belarus. The measures targeting Belarus build on restrictive measures first introduced by the EU following the presidential elections in Belarus in August 2020 and the crackdown on peaceful protesters, democratic opposition and journalists that followed.

On 24 February 2023, the European Council decided to extend for a further year the restrictive measures linked to the ongoing involvement of Belarus in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the human rights situation in the country. The EU will continue to consider adopting further sanctions against the Lukashenko regime in response to internal repression in Belarus and the regime’s support for the war against Ukraine. Ireland is actively involved in these discussions and supports co-ordinated EU sanctions and other measures including action at the UN, to hold Belarus accountable for its violations of human rights and the rule of law, and its complicity in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. I would like to conclude by reaffirming the commitment of the Government to the promotion and protection of human rights and democracy in Belarus.

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