Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take questions Nos. 13 to 19, inclusive, together.

On Thursday, 27 February I met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Shannon Airport during a scheduled stopover on his way to Washington. We had a warm and substantial meeting. We discussed the most recent developments with regard to the situation in Ukraine.

I reiterated Ireland's steadfast support for Ukraine and its people as they continue to defend themselves against Russia's ongoing illegal and brutal aggression. I reaffirmed Ireland's readiness to offer practical humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine, both bilaterally and with our EU partners.

We discussed how, together with the EU, we can advance a just, sustainable and durable peace in Ukraine. This was a key focus of the discussions among EU leaders at both the special meeting of the European Council on 6 March and the European Council meeting on 20 and 21 March. I also took the opportunity to offer my support for the acceleration of Ukraine's membership of the EU. This will be an important part of broader security guarantees for Ukraine.

I also had an opportunity to meet President Zelenskyy with other leaders at the conference in Paris on peace and security for Ukraine, hosted by President Macron on 27 March. There we agreed that this war, and the threat posed by Russia, is not only an existential issue for Ukraine, but also a major challenge to the security of Europe. European Union leaders agreed that a ceasefire can only take place as part of the process leading to a comprehensive peace agreement and that any such agreement needs to be accompanied by robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine that contribute to deterring future Russian aggression. Ireland will continue to engage with partners on ongoing efforts towards a meaningful ceasefire, how we can support that ceasefire if and when it comes and how we can contribute to bringing about a just and lasting peace that respects Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It is more important than ever that we remain steadfast in our support so that Ukraine can negotiate from a position of strength. The EU has provided substantial military support to Ukraine to enable it to defend itself and, in doing so, to defend the values we all hold dear. Ireland is playing its part. Our support to date has focused on humanitarian and stabilisation assistance, alongside non-lethal military support, both through the European peace facility and bilaterally, and strong political support, including for Ukraine's European perspective.

In March, the Government approved a significant €100 million package of military support for Ukraine, including non-lethal elements of air defence, anti-drone devices and demining.

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