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

I thank the Taoiseach for his update on the discussions at the European Council in December. I note that a considerable part of those discussions centred around the continued need for the EU to support Ukraine, particularly with the latter in the midst of another winter of brutal assault and aggression from Russia. I welcome that the Council recommitted to addressing the needs of the Ukrainian people. I note the reference to member states providing “assistance to ensure the resilience of [Ukraine’s] energy sector through the winter.” There is a concern about attacks on civilian infrastructure. The Ukrainian ambassador set out starkly to an Oireachtas committee what that could mean in terms of the human tragedy. It would be important if the Taoiseach or a Minister of State outlined how the supports around resilience in the energy sector could be provided. An energy crisis in Ukraine would inevitably lead to an energy cost crisis in the rest of Europe. Reference has been made across party lines in the House to the importance of establishing a funding mechanism for the rebuilding of Ukraine. I would appreciate an update on same.

In contrast to the number of pages spent outlining the discussions and programmes relating to the EU’s support for Ukraine, the conclusions of the European Council regarding the Middle East simply read: "The European Council held an in-depth strategic debate on the Middle East." That is the full quote. I appreciate what the Taoiseach said about being able to secure a unanimous position on demanding a ceasefire. That is scandalous. It is a blight on the EU that, even at this stage, it has not been able to issue what is such a fundamental and basic humanitarian statement. We are reaching the point where the EU will have to be called out. I do not know how it can continue as an entity of 27 states if it cannot call out in a collective voice what is happening in Gaza. Its ability to claim to be a voice or champion for peace on the international stage will be undermined.

This highlights the need for the Government to co-ordinate the implementation of measures to advance that position with other states that support a ceasefire. A part of my difficulty with the Government is that it has been too narrow in its approach. As described by the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach, we have only been dealing with this issue from within the EU. What is great about the Irish global footprint and our international record over many decades is that our reach goes far beyond the EU, but we have not been utilising it effectively. In fact, there has been an attempt to narrow our reach and confine it to within an EU context. For example, the Government decided to withdraw from the UN peacekeeping mission in the Golan Heights in order to be able to meet capacity issues within European battle groups. The same can be found in our diplomatic approach to implementing measures on ensuring a ceasefire in Gaza and elsewhere across Israel and Palestine. We want EU member states to join us in that endeavour and for us to take measures together to bring a ceasefire about, but we should not confine our search for friends to within the EU. I would hazard a guess and say that our ability to get others to collaborate with us on that would be much more effective were we to look beyond the borders of the EU. Other EU member states may then be in a position to do likewise.

We have seen how such measures can and should be advanced. The South Africans had a thousand reasons not to take their case to the International Court of Justice – they had the exact same reasons in respect of which our leaders are being advised to show caution – but they made a determination that, while states should work with others when possible, they needed to show leadership at some point. While Ireland showed leadership at the outset of this conflict and, after a number of weeks, we were united in the House in calling for a ceasefire and became one of the first parliaments in the world to do so, we have not shown leadership in our actions. This is why we have had so many debates in recent days. There are actions that could be taken, for example, passing the occupied territories Bill and the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill and suspending the granting of export licences for dual-use items destined for Israel. If the EU is not going to take these steps, then Ireland should.

I wish to make a brief mention of this week’s meeting of the agriculture Council. The report indicates that agriculture ministers discussed trade-related agricultural issues and received a presentation from the Belgian Presidency on its work programme. A priority of the Spanish Presidency was to conclude the Mercosur trade agreement by the end of last year, if I am correct, but the Belgian priorities seem to be focused on trade agreements with Chile and New Zealand. Perhaps the Minister of State could indicate the status of the Mercosur trade agreement, given the devastating impact it could have on Irish agriculture and how it would undermine our climate action ambitions for Ireland and our ability to work with others on reducing global emissions. I would appreciate it if the Minister of State could touch on these questions in his closing remarks.

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