Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this important Topical Issue. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello, to the House. I understand the mission in which the Tánaiste is engaged and I am glad the Minister of State can be with us.

On 23 January my colleague and Fianna Fáil spokesperson on foreign affairs and trade, Deputy Brendan Smith, raised this very serious matter in the House, condemning in the strongest possible terms the use of state violence to prohibit any type of demonstration against the government in Ukraine. The fatalities on the streets of Kiev in January shocked Europe and the world, and at the time Fianna Fáil called on the Tánaiste and Minister for Affairs and Trade to drive the call at European level for sanctions against those responsible for the fatalities. We also called for intense European engagement to prevent further violence in Ukraine. Unfortunately, what we have seen since then is a dismal and inadequate response from our Government and, more significantly, from the European Union.

Events in Ukraine have taken another fatal and tragic turn, with the deaths of more protesters. The situation is becoming increasingly dangerous and has begun to teeter on the point of civil war. A tentative agreement between the government and the opposition broke down and lives are being lost in the streets of Kiev as we speak. I contend that the European Union must stand for peace, stability and safety throughout the continent. The prospect of a civil war at the gates of Europe in 2014 is extremely serious. There must be clear, determined action arising from today's meeting of the EU foreign Ministers.

Last month Fianna Fáil pointed out that the increasingly authoritarian style exhibited by the Ukrainian Government was of great concern and huge questions were being raised about human rights in the country, but our Government remained silent. It folded its hands and stated it could do nothing. It appears the Minister fails to recognise that Ireland, as a neutral country outside NATO, has an important role to play in acting as an honest broker in this crisis at European level. Our voice must be raised in support of those who seek democratic reform and a peaceful resolution to this awful crisis.

The European Union has failed to grasp the gravity of the situation in Ukraine. It is still debating the possibility of sanctions against those responsible for the violence. These sanctions have been debated for weeks and the crisis continues to escalate. The crisis is on our doorstep. It ignited following the failure of EU trade talks with Ukraine, and we understand the history between Ukraine, Europe and Russia. This is critical for the European Union. The bloodshed witnessed on the streets of Kiev is totally unacceptable. A failure to act to support democracy, put pressure on President Yanukovych and stand against the abuse of power in Ukraine would seriously damage the position of the European Union on the world stage. Fianna Fáil believes there is a clear case for sanctions to be imposed on Ukraine and the European Union must act quickly and decisively. The Government should reiterate its call for the release of Yulia Tymoshenko, the former Ukrainian prime minister, imprisoned in the country.

The European Union must wake up to the reality of what is happening in Ukraine. Words are not enough. They must be accompanied by action.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this Topical Issue and agree entirely with him. This is an extraordinarily serious crisis. As the Deputy may be aware, the Tánaiste issued a statement yesterday outlining his views on the developing crisis in Ukraine, which the Government has followed with growing concern. He indicated that he was appalled at the most recent outbreak of violence this week, which has reportedly left many people dead and many more injured.

Today the Tánaiste is attending an extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels to discuss the crisis. The European Union has identified the formation of a new and inclusive government, progress on constitutional reform, and the preparation for transparent and democratic presidential elections as the key elements needed to restore peace.

Since 18 February, the deadliest clashes to date between anti-government protestors and security forces have taken place in Kiev. The proximate cause of the recent violence may have been the decision by protestors in Independence Square, known as the Maidan, to march to parliament buildings, situated a mile away, on the morning of 18 February. News agencies report that 20,000 protestors were involved in the march, which was timed to coincide with a scheduled discussion in parliament on possible constitutional change. When they were met with large numbers of security forces in the vicinity of the Parliament, violent clashes ensued. Regrettably, later that night emergency talks between President Yanukovych and two opposition leaders, Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Vitali Klitschko, ended in stalemate.

Yesterday morning, riot police using tear gas tried to clear protestors encamped in Independence Square, and a number of casualties, including fatalities, resulted. Despite the agreement of a truce between President Yanukovych and opposition leaders, fresh fighting has taken place in central Kiev today, and there are media reports of further casualties.

The Ukrainian health ministry has today confirmed the deaths of 35 people, including security personnel, and the toll is expected to increase. Hundreds more have been seriously wounded. The authorities have closed Kiev's underground transport system, announced that traffic into the capital will be restricted and called on businesses not to open. Protests have taken place in several other cities, including Lviv in western Ukraine, where demonstrators have reportedly seized government buildings.

There has been international condemnation of the latest outbreak of violence. The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, expressed his shock at reports of violence in Ukraine and has urged the immediate renewal of genuine dialogue between all sides. The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, issued a statement on 18 February condemning all use of violence, including against public or party buildings. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe has called upon all political forces in Ukraine to act responsibly and refrain from further violent actions.

I recall that from the outset, the European Union has been actively involved in facilitating the search for a peaceful and negotiated solution to the crisis. It has stressed the obligations of the authorities to respect and protect the fundamental rights of the Ukrainian people and has stated that a democratic solution must be sought through inclusive dialogue. This is a message that High Representative Ashton has conveyed repeatedly in her recent visits to Kiev.

It is clear that the use of force, from whichever quarter, cannot resolve the political crisis in Ukraine. Immediate steps must be taken to calm the rising tension. Both sides have a shared responsibility to build trust and to create the conditions necessary to chart a way forward through dialogue in the parliament, rather than confrontation in the streets. Further bloodshed will deepen divisions and make it even more difficult to reach a political solution to which all sides state they are committed. President Yanukovych and his Government have a particular responsibility to act to enable a meaningful dialogue with opposition leaders. They should take the necessary steps without delay.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

While I acknowledge the Minister of State's response, I wish to put a couple of questions to him. Does he accept the European Union - and he as a Minister - must be somewhat embarrassed that, for example, the Obama Administration has moved already to apply sanctions to more than 20 Ukrainian officials, while here in Europe we continue to fail to move? Second, what has been done by either the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade or the European Union to secure the release of the former prime minister, Ms Tymonshenko? Is it the belief of the Government that her release would be helpful in finding a resolution to the situation? Has the Tánaiste discussed this situation with his counterpart in Russia, Sergey Lavrov? Finally, has this crisis been discussed in a Cabinet meeting? Has there been a united Cabinet decision on how this crisis should be addressed, recognising the status Ireland has in being outside NATO and having a recognised history in peacekeeping, as well as much to offer, based on our recent history, in respect of contributing to the building of peace in situations in which conflict exists?

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his supplementary questions. The European Union has been very much engaged from the outset in the Ukrainian crisis. From the outset, Catherine Ashton has travelled to Kiev quite a number of times to represent the European Union through the European External Action Service. She has reported back and the issue has been discussed on a regular basis at the Council of Ministers. The extraordinary meeting that was called for today is considering carefully what further action will be taken. All possible options will be explored at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels today, including restrictive measures against those responsible for human rights violations, violence and the use of excessive force. The Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Poland were in Kiev this morning, where they met President Yanukovych and opposition leaders and they will report on their visit to the Council. As the Deputy is aware, the Tánaiste is at that Council at present and will take the opportunity to speak strongly on the matter. The international community must send Ukraine the clear message that the images seen on the streets of a European capital city in recent days are not acceptable. Ireland believes the use of force cannot be as a means of resolving the political stalemate in Ukraine. The only sustainable way forward is a genuine political engagement in an inclusive dialogue to meet the legitimate democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people. International organisations such as the European Union, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the United Nations potentially could play a constructive role in facilitating a resolution to the current crisis that respects the rights of all Ukrainians. However, there is a particular responsibility on President Yanukovych and his Government to take urgent steps to enable such a dialogue and to help de-escalate the situation. Consequently, the Government urges him today to take the necessary steps to put an end to bloodshed and the tragic loss of life on the Ukrainian streets.

This is the context in which the Tánaiste will be lending his voice to the debate, which no doubt will be very robust. In respect of the former prime minister, Yulia Tymonshenko, Ireland has called consistently for human rights and the proper procedure of law to be adhered to for her release. This position always has been put strongly on the record over a period. The Tánaiste also has engaged with the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr. Lavrov, in respect of these matters. It is something in which Ireland has taken a regular interest over a period of time before the present crisis. I do not know whether there has been a discussion in Cabinet on the matter as that is something of which I have no direct knowledge. However, I am sure I can supply that information to the Deputy.