Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing flexibility to include a fifth Topical Issue on this important subject, especially after statements yesterday on security in Europe.

We woke up this morning to the news that a full-scale invasion had begun in Ukraine, that Ukraine had declared martial law and that explosions had been reported in multiple cities across Ukraine. At the outset, I express my utmost solidarity with Ukrainian people, in Ukraine and also here in Ireland.

Earlier today, Deputy Alan Farrell and I, and so many other Members of these Houses, met with the Ukrainian-Irish community outside Dáil Éireann. Members of our shared community, terrified for their families in Ukraine, have stood outside today in the cold, the rain and the snow. I hope that they see our solidarity with them from everybody going out, but also from the cars passing in the street beeping and supporting them.

There are extensive subway systems across Ukraine and from what we are hearing, those unable to flee at this point are going underground seeking protection and making plans to protect themselves against bombing and ballistic missiles. As we speak, Russian forces have attacked and seized control of an airport and are attempting to take control of other strategic areas.

I welcome, in particular, an Irish-Ukrainian family from my constituency to Leinster House. They are sitting in the Gallery. I spoke with them this morning. They have family in Ukraine trying to flee - trying to head south west. They are part of that traffic jam that we have seen on the television trying to leave Kyiv - people literally fleeing for the well-being of their families. These are the people and families who need safe refuge in Ireland. They are very real, raw, heartbreaking human experiences that nobody ever wants to have to think about.

This is an indefensible aggression in Europe but by no means the first such aggression. It is, as the Taoiseach said, an immoral and outrageous breach of the most fundamental principles of international law. Could the Minister outline to the House the humanitarian response that we can expect from the Government to the concerns of families here today, in particular for those Ukrainians who have been prominent critics of Russia and Putin and the scale, if possible, of the economic and other retaliation that is appropriate to this aggression that we can anticipate by the EU?

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Carroll MacNeill for having the foresight to put this item on the agenda and the Minister for making himself available.

Like my colleague, I woke this morning and turned on my radio and immediately felt my heart in the pit of my stomach with the horrific news that the Russian Federation had invaded the sovereign territory of Ukraine. Like any democrat or any parent, I immediately think of the women, the men and the children of that nation and the terror that they must feel as we speak.

It is an act of tyranny, an act of barbarism on the part of the Russian Federation. In particular, I am especially aggrieved with the lies that we have been told over the past number of days and weeks, even in this House in the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, where the Russian Federation ambassador presented himself for questions.

This is a murderous rampage from a despot that will undoubtedly kill tens, if not thousands, of innocent citizens of Ukraine going about their ordinary business.

I listened very carefully to the Ukrainian ambassador on radio this morning. I could hear the emotion. It was hard not to feel the emotion that she expressed on behalf of her people and her Government.

Like my colleague, I have grave concerns for the innocents in Ukraine right now. I am pleased to have heard what the Taoiseach said earlier in relation to visas. I would like the Minister to explain that in more detail and the supports that are being offered on the ground to Irish citizens and their families who may not all be of Irish extraction.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising this issue.

Ireland and all of our EU partners stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people on this shocking day when Russia, unprovoked, has initiated missile strikes and a ground invasion on their country. Today's invasion by Russia of Ukraine's sovereign territory and its attack on its people is an outrageous and immoral breach of the most fundamental and basic international law.

Prior to the events overnight and today, the EU had already stepped up its support to Ukraine. At the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Monday, we decided to provide €1.2 billion of macrofinancial assistance to Ukraine. The EU is one of the largest humanitarian donors to eastern Ukraine. Since 2014, the European Union and its member states have contributed over €1 billion in humanitarian and early recovery aid to support the needs of people in the areas directly affected by the conflict and those who have had to flee that conflict.

Ireland is among a number of EU member states that responded with an offer of medical supplies. Today, the Government is working on a further package from Ireland to support the people of Ukraine and the Taoiseach will be in a position to announce this later this evening.

In response to Russia's actions, a first package of new sanctions was formally adopted yesterday. The sanctions package is wide-ranging and contains a number of elements, including an EU travel ban and an asset freeze extended to all 351 members of the Russian State Duma who voted in favour of this violation of international law, and an asset freeze and a travel ban applying to 22 key decision-makers, business figures, military officers and persons involved in leading the disinformation war against Ukraine. An asset freeze will also apply to three private banks and an entity responsible for disinformation. The package also targets the ability of the Russian state and government to access EU capital and financial markets and services. This limits Russia's ability to finance further aggression in terms of policies and actions.

New measures also target economic relations between the EU and the two breakaway regions. This includes an import ban on goods from the non-governmental controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, restrictions on trade and investment related to certain economic sectors, a prohibition on the supply of tourism services and an export ban for certain goods and technologies.

All EU sanctions regulations have direct effect and as such are legally binding on all natural and legal persons in Ireland and across the EU. Private companies have an obligation to ensure that they are in full compliance with these new measures.

Sanctions will not be cost-free for this country or other EU member states, but we are left with little choice by Russia's behaviour. In light of the very serious developments overnight, the EU will move forward with a second even more wide-ranging sanctions package this evening.

A special meeting of the European Council has been called for this evening and the Taoiseach is attending. Ireland and our partners in the European Union will adopt the most severe package of sanctions that Europe has ever considered.

The Deputy also inquired about Irish citizens based in Ukraine. In light of developments, the Department of Foreign Affairs advises all Irish citizens currently in Ukraine to shelter in a secure place. However, citizens should consider leaving Ukraine if they judge it safe to do so depending on their location and prevailing circumstances, of course. It is likely that routes out of Ukraine will be severely disrupted and the road network and border crossings may face closures at short notice. Our embassy is no longer operating in Kyiv and our staff and other staff are transferring to a safe place as we speak.

Any Irish citizen requiring emergency consular assistance should contact a dedicated telephone line, 01 6131700, which has now been set up by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Department will issue regular updates online and on our @dfatirl Twitter account as the situation develops. The Department of Foreign Affairs remains in direct and ongoing contact with Irish citizens in Ukraine who have registered with the embassy of Ireland in Kyiv, currently totalling around 70 people. The safety and security of Irish citizens and also their dependants in Ukraine are our absolute priority.

To the 4,000 Ukrainian people who call Ireland their home, our hearts are breaking with them as we stand with them today.

Ukrainian and Irish people have much in common: kindness, fairness and friendship run to the core of Ukraine. Like in Ireland, Ukrainian families are large and interconnected with a deep intergenerational bond. The Ukrainian diaspora across the world cares for and supports their family at home and I know how worried they are today. We had hoped to avoid this war. We had in fact pleaded with Russia to pull back from the brink through multiple diplomatic efforts. Those hopes and pleas were ignored and instead we see illegality, aggression and killing. I say to those in the Gallery this evening and to the other thousands of Ukrainians in Ireland that I am working with my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, to put a structure and system in place that will allow Ukrainian citizens in Ireland to bring their families from Ukraine to Ireland if they judge that is necessary for safety reasons. We will ensure that system works and is streamlined.

Likewise, for Irish citizens who are in Ukraine who want to bring their families home with them, who may not be Irish nationals, we will also ensure that we have a process in place that will allow them to do that quickly and without impediments such as difficult visa application processes or anything like that. The Minister for Justice and my Department are working out the practicalities of how we can ensure that system will work for those here and in Ukraine who may need to flee for their safety. I look forward to taking any further questions the Deputies may have.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I allowed a certain amount of latitude because of the seriousness of the situation.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for outlining the steps. We will hear more from the Taoiseach later. For the benefit of the House, the key concern for those families is getting out. Now that martial law has been declared, that is going to be very difficult for the men. I think in particular of prominent anti-Russian and anti-Putin journalists, who have spoken out so bravely in recent months and years in defence of democracy and against imperialist aggression. Those people are identifiable and they are in Ukraine. It is incredibly difficult for their families to think about that. It is so important to identify it. There have been reports of cyberattacks on car insurance companies. They would know who anyone is, what their car looks like and what the registration number is. We have seen reports from across Europe. We know the work that is going on. The key thing is about getting out in the first instance. The additional sanctions are welcome. I have run out of time. We know that so much has moved already and they need to be very effective.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I just want to mention my appreciation to Moldova, which when I last checked had taken more than 4,000 refugees on its border. That prompted this debate because we have a role to play. I am very heartened by what the Minister said. There are 4,000 Ukrainian citizens in Ireland. There is a prominent local businessman in Malahide whom I know very well, who I am very fond of because he is an absolute gentleman. It is important to me to know that there is an opportunity for families to be reunified in these circumstances. For that reason, I am very pleased to hear what the Minister outlined about his Department and the Department of Justice. I thank him for that.

As a neutral nation we cannot declare war, but we can declare financial warfare on the Russian Federation along with our European partners. That is entirely necessary for us to do. I very much look forward to what the Taoiseach has to announce this evening. We must make life as difficult as possible for businesses and for the Russian Federation Government in particular because of the absolute barbarism they unleashed upon the Ukrainian people this morning.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can remember as an MEP travelling to Kyiv as an election observer during what was then called the Orange revolution. I remember the excitement the night before the election in Freedom Square in Kyiv and the sense of momentum and change at that time in Ukraine. Of course, there was some division too in the context of east and west, but it was a time of genuine hope for a new direction for a country that was looking west, with hopes and ambitions for the future. For those of us who have followed the ups and downs and challenges of Ukrainian politics since then, when we see what is happening there today, it really is shocking to see at the heart of Europe a level of aggression that takes us back many decades in Europe. That shows that the lessons of history on this Continent have not been learnt by some, as Russia attempts to undermine and change the political and state relationships and stability on the Continent of Europe by the actions it is taking today and the threats it is making to those outside of Ukraine also who may dare to interrupt its plans.

The role that Ireland will play will not be a neutral one. We are a neutral state. We are militarily non-aligned, but when we see the Continent that we have helped to build in terms of political stability over many decades being threatened in the way that is now happening, by Russia illegally invading its neighbour, we need to stand up and ensure that we are part of resisting that negative change on our Continent. As ever, we also need to take action on a human level and a humanitarian level in the context of supporting those who may have to leave or flee Ukraine or, through NGOs and others, support those who stay but who may need our help in the weeks and months ahead. Ireland will be very much part of a collective EU effort.

I have been in politics for 25 years and I am not sure I have ever seen anything that has united the EU in the way that this issue is currently uniting European countries that historically have very different relationships with Russia. The resolve I hear from some of my EU colleagues and from the European Commission and other institutions within the EU is one of steely determination to show that European democracy matters and that we will take the necessary actions even if they are painful ones for the EU in order to stand up to what we are seeing happening to our eastern neighbours.

I say to Ukrainians that we are going to be with you through this as much as we possibly can be. I say to our other EU colleagues, and our other partners in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and the many other countries that will be part of this collective effort, that Ireland will not be found wanting in terms of being a part of those efforts to try to reverse what we are seeing coming from Russia today in the context of what is happening in Ukraine.

The Taoiseach will have an opportunity later this evening to outline some of the detail of what I have announced in terms of what sanctions look like, what our humanitarian support package looks like - our initial one at least - and also some of the detail perhaps in terms of how we can facilitate Ukrainians to come to Ireland should they need to for safety and shelter.