Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 54 together.

I thank the Deputy for raising this question. The Government has been consistent in the pursuit of accountability for Russia's illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. This includes accountability of the Russian leadership responsible for the crime of aggression. Ireland is one of 40 states, plus the European Union, in the core group for the establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression in Ukraine. Ireland participates in regular meetings of the core group to address the complex legal and practical issues that arise in trying to establish a credible, legitimate and effective tribunal to deal with this crime. Ireland has also welcomed the establishment of an international centre for the prosecution of the crime of aggression in Ukraine by Eurojust. The purpose of the centre is to co-ordinate domestic investigations in other countries into the crime of aggression against Ukraine and preserve and store evidence for future trials. The centre will enable investigations into Russia's leadership to commence while discussions continue on the creation of a special tribunal.

As the first permanent international court with the power to prosecute international crimes, the ICC has a crucial role to play in fighting impunity for international crimes that have been committed in Ukraine. In March 2022, Ireland was one of 43 states to refer the situation in Ukraine to the ICC in order to enable the ICC prosecutor to immediately start an investigation. The Government announced in November a voluntary contribution of €3 million to the ICC in support of its important work across all situations. This is in addition to the voluntary contribution of €3 million made to the ICC in 2022 and Ireland's assessed contribution to the court's budget, which was €1.5 million in 2024.

Ireland is also a founding participant of the register of damage, which will serve as a record of evidence and information on claims of damage, loss or injury caused by Russia's actions in or against Ukraine. The Government views the register as an important first step towards the creation of an international compensation mechanism to hold Russia accountable to victims of its aggression. In addition, Ireland has joined 31 other states intervening as a third party in Ukraine's proceedings against the Russian Federation at the ICJ under the genocide convention.

See this speech in context