John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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5. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide the details of the Government’s response to the Russian annexation of areas of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49446/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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Before I pose this question, I will take the opportunity to express my condolences and sympathy to the family of Rory Mason from Meath, who tragically died in Ukraine defending its territorial integrity and the rights of the Ukrainian people. Following on from that, I ask the Minister about the recent moves to annex illegally four regions-----

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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The Deputy is over time.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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-----within Ukraine. What is the Minister's response?

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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The Minister has two minutes.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Are we on the next question?

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Yes.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I also express my condolences and those of the Government and this House to the Mason family. I spoke to Rory's father yesterday, an incredibly dignified individual who is clearly very proud of his son's courage and principles and is also trying to deal with an extraordinary family tragedy. He asked for some space and privacy for the family. We should all respect that while at the same time expressing our sympathies to Rory's brother, sister, parents and those around them.

Since Russia commenced its unjustified and unprovoked further invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, I have consistently expressed Ireland's unwavering solidarity with Ukraine and support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Ireland has pushed for the Security Council to hold Russia accountable, to urge it to end its war in Ukraine immediately and to call out Russia’s cynical attempts to use the council and other UN bodies to spread disinformation. When I addressed the Security Council on 22 September, I made clear that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was a grave violation of international law and an attempt to change internationally recognised borders by the use of force.

On 30 September, Ireland voted in favour of a resolution at the UN Security Council condemning the Russian Federation’s organisation of sham referendums in regions within Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders. We categorically reject the so-called results of those illegal and illegitimate referendums and announcements purporting to annex Ukrainian territory. They have no legal effect anywhere in the world. Immediately following the Russian announcement of the referendums, EU foreign ministers agreed to prepare a new sanctions package. Member states were asked to put forward proposals and Ireland joined with Poland and the Baltic states in proposing a range of new sanctions. This latest package comes into effect today and comprises sectoral measures and new listings. It also extends the scope of the Donetsk and Luhansk sanctions regime to include the other occupied territories. It also includes a framework for the G7 oil price cap so that the EU can implement it once it is finalised.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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There is no doubt that the annexations of the four regions, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, are totally illegal as they follow what have been widely and correctly described as sham referendums within those regions. Unbelievably, Russia does not even fully control these regions and yet it has declared it is legally annexing them. It is right that the international community acts and responds to any illegal annexation anywhere in the world. It represents a serious escalation in the illegal conflict and occupation in Ukraine and is coupled with the unbelievable threat that nuclear force may be used. Does the Minister see the recent military success on the ground, in which Ukraine has taken back large swathes of land previously occupied by Russia, as an opportunity to push for peaceful discussions to bring the horrific and illegal conflict in Ukraine to an end?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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EU member states also co-ordinated to summon Russian ambassadors in capitals following the announcement by President Putin of his intention to illegally annex the territories we have been referring to. At my instruction, the Russian ambassador was summoned by my Department on 3 October. He was informed that Ireland categorically condemns the declaration by the Russian Federation on 30 September illegally annexing part of the territory of Ukraine. It was emphasised to him that this decision has no basis in law and that this move does not reflect the freely expressed will of the people of Ukraine in the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

With regard to the gains the Ukrainian military has made in recent weeks, which are really a testament to its organisation, professionalism and bravery, these battlefield successes have been extraordinary. The approach towards peace talks should very much be guided by Ukraine and its determination to free its own people from occupation. We need to stay close to what the Ukrainian President wants. After all, he and his country are defending themselves in this context.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the fact that the Minister called in the Russian ambassador to outline the Irish position on the illegal annexations but it raises the question of why he is still here. From the outset, my party and I have called for him to be expelled and I reiterate that point today. The UN General Assembly will next week debate the annexing of these four regions and I welcome that.

It is important that there is an international push to try to bring the illegal conflict and occupation to an end. I hear what the Minister is saying about Ukraine. We have to listen to what is being said by its President and its people but we have an international responsibility, given the impact this war is having not just on the energy crisis but also on food security, where there is a crisis in places such as the Horn of Africa. There is an onus on the international community to also push for peaceful discussions.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I believe the Deputy and his party are wrong to call for the expulsion of the Russian ambassador. I understand that sentiment, frustration and anger and wanting to send that clear signal. Keeping diplomatic channels open, in the context of making it very clear to Russia what we think of the illegality of its actions, and being able to call in an ambassador to send direct messages to Moscow and the Kremlin, is both helpful and appropriate at this time. The Deputy's calls for a peace process that can end this conflict are also very understandable, because this war has to end at some point in time. Having diplomatic channels open to speak to both sides is a useful tool in those efforts to understand both perspectives and find a basis for peace. We need to be careful that the international community does not in any way try to pressure or frame a peace outcome here in a way that is inconsistent with Ukraine's ability to defend itself and free its own people from Russian occupation.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I would like to move on to the other questions in a spirit of solidarity and co-operation. I have let every speaker over time. I have used my discretion and I gave double time where the questions were grouped. I am saying this for both sides of the House. It is not pleasant to have to keep interrupting but other Deputies will lose out if speakers go over time. There is some discretion with priority questions to go a little over time but not continuously.