Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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59. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 21 November 2023, the total military aid given by the EU to Ukraine since February 2022, and the details of the contribution given by Ireland to date; the details of the contribution given by Ireland towards common costs of the EU military assistance mission in support of Ukraine; the details of any contributions or donations made by the Defence Forces to Ukraine to date since February 2022, and any contributions or donations planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2755/24]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I am just trying to keep up to date with the amount that we are giving to Ukraine one way or another. What is the total military aid given by the EU to Ukraine since February 2022? Will the Tánaiste give us the details of the contributions given by Ireland to date, the details of the contribution given by Ireland towards the common costs of the EU military assistance mission in support of the Ukraine, and the detail of any contributions or donations made by the Defence Forces here?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is important to reiterate that Ireland and the European Union have been consistent in their support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal and unjustified war of aggression. The response by the Union to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. It has encompassed political, financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support for Ukraine. Member states have agreed approximately €5.6 billion in military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility, EPF, to date, consisting of approximately €5.22 billion for lethal equipment and approximately €380 million for non-lethal equipment.

In line with the programme for Government, Ireland constructively abstains in all lethal equipment elements of the support packages. Our full share of funding - approximately €122 million to date - is therefore directed exclusively towards non-lethal support. This is the basis on which Ireland's involvement in the EPF was decided by the Government, and agreed with and understood by our European Union partners. In addition, Ireland's contribution towards the common costs of the EU military assistance mission in support of Ukraine, EUMAM Ukraine, totals €4.16 million to date. Further contributions by Ireland are likely this calendar year.

Through their participation in EUMAM Ukraine, the Defence Forces have provided: two modules of training to the Ukrainian armed forces in de-mining and clearance, which were conducted in Cyprus; three modules of tactical combat casualty care and combat lifesaver, which were conducted in Germany; and two modules of drill instructor training in Germany. The Defence Forces have a draft programme of training to be provided up to March of this year, which is subject to regular updating.

The Department of Defence has previously provided approximately 10 tonnes - or 5,000 units - of ready-to-eat meals and 200 units of body armour, which were shipped from Defence Forces stocks to Ukraine. I have also approved the donation by the Defence Forces of two DOK-ING mine clearance systems, mine flails, to the Ukrainian armed forces. Mining is a huge issue now in Ukraine and it is currently foreseen that this donation, as well as training on their use and maintenance, will take place in the near future.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I thank the Tánaiste for the reply. I am struck by the forceful nature of the language. I have condemned Russia out of hand for its illegal invasion. In the face of Russia's illegal and unjustified war of aggression, I have never heard the same terminology regarding Israel's attack on the Palestinian people. That is the first thing to note.

The second thing to note is that the Tánaiste is telling me the EPF has given €5.6 billion in military assistance. It is a misnomer to call this a peace facility. Can one imagine if we used even a fraction of that fund to bring peace in the world and to help the war to stop? That war should be stopped by now. That €5.6 billion is hard to place in context. When I look at the fact sheet of EU solidarity with Ukraine on the European Commission website, I am told that €67.7 billion has been given over. This €67.7 billion of course related to humanitarian emergency funding but also to military aid. The Tánaiste has given me the figure of €5.6 billion under the peace facility. What is the total figure out of that €67 billion?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There is a lot of bilateral aid which member states themselves provide jointly. Many EU member states, not us, see the Russian invasion as existential, particularly the Baltic states and Poland. Initially, even German people felt the war posed an existential threat to the security of Germany. This is the context. It is arguable that the support given by many member states has stymied Russia's ambition to take over Ukraine. It was touch and go. When we speak to people in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Moldova they feel they are next if Russia succeeds. It is very much seen in existential terms by many of these countries. Europe is vulnerable from a security perspective. We have made our contribution in line with Government policy.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I believe that war is an existential threat.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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So do I.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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What is happening in the Middle East is very threatening but we do not use the same language. We are an independent republic. We are an independent sovereign state and we are neutral. We should use our voice to bring peace in the world. That is what we should be doing. I am desperately trying to see among this large figure of €67.7 billion what it is that Ireland is contributing while we dance on the top of a needle saying we are not providing military support and we are giving non-lethal aid. This is the difficulty for me. Then there is the contrast. Earlier, in the Tánaiste's speech on the motion, he spoke about €2 million or €3 million from us going to the International Court of Justice. That is what we have done for Gaza and the Palestinian people.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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No.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Maybe I am wrong-----

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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You are.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I will be the first to say sorry if I am. If the Tánaiste looks at the figures that I am looking at, he will see that €67.7 billion is the figure for EU solidarity with Ukraine.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland is a force for peace in the world. In our motion today we condemned the continued Israeli bombardment of Gaza. I condemned the Hamas attack on 7 October. We are seeking peace and we have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Ireland is consistent in its approach to these matters. We voted for the Arab resolution at the United Nations seeking an immediate cessation of all violence in Gaza. We have been very consistent. We were one of the first EU member states to come out on our own to state we want a ceasefire. We made it very clear when the Arab resolution came forward. Our commitment to the Palestinians is far greater than €3 million. That was unfair and Deputy Connolly knows it. I have said it, and the Deputy has been in the House on numerous occasions when I have detailed our support to UNRWA, which was approximately €18 million last year in terms of the occupied territories alone. There is also our support of OCHA with additional funding for its work in Palestine. The European Union is the biggest donor to the Palestinians but we need to do more.