Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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95. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to the recent escalation in the intensity of Russian aggression against Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56943/25]

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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This question was transferred to me from Deputy O'Meara. It asks for the Tánaiste's response to the recent escalation in the intensity of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I am grateful to Deputies O'Meara and Lahart for raising this very timely issue. Ireland condemns Russia’s escalation of large-scale aerial attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. In recent weeks, Russia has launched thousands of drone and missile attacks into Ukraine, some of which have been the largest aerial attacks since the start of the war, resulting in high numbers of civilian casualties and large-scale destruction of civilian infrastructure. According to President Zelenskyy, on Thursday, 16 October, Russia launched more than 300 drones and 37 missiles to target infrastructure across Ukraine. The President commented that this autumn, the Russians have been using every single day and night to strike at Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The targeting of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is especially cruel ahead of winter, when temperatures often drop below minus 10°C. The deprivation of heat, light, electricity and water are attacks on Ukrainian civilians. We have made the point multiple times that the attacks on energy infrastructure and the utilisation of food as a tool of war are, of course, war crimes. Moreover, Ireland strongly condemns the repeated violations of EU airspace and other hybrid attacks by Russia. These actions constitute a reckless and unprecedented threat to regional security. In response, the Tánaiste directed his officials to make our condemnation clear to the Russian chargé in Dublin. These actions demonstrate yet again that Russia is intent on escalating rather than de-escalating its war of aggression.

For our part, we are working closely with our EU partners to secure the best outcome for Ukraine and for Europe. This topic featured heavily at the Foreign Affairs Council this week and will feature heavily at the European Council later this week. Ireland reiterates its commitment to support all efforts to hold Russia accountable, including for the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children, and the need to maintain pressure on Russia by quickly reaching agreement on the 19th sanctions package.

The ongoing escalation in Russian attacks also highlights the critical importance of ensuring that Ukraine gets the support it needs to defend itself. In March, the Tánaiste announced the allocation of €100 million in non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine, the majority of which will be used to fund non-lethal elements of air defence.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State. The Ukrainian ambassador was very appreciative of the non-military assistance the country has been given when she came before the committee last week. The Minister of State referred in his reply to regional destabilisation. I was fortunate and privileged, with the Minister of State's colleague, Deputy Barry Ward, Chair of the EU affairs committee, to be part of an EU election observation project in Moldova. The Russians had been attempting to interfere with elections there. Clearly, it is not just warheads, missiles and drones but it is right across. The Ukrainian ambassador told the committee that something like 11,000 Shahed drones have been used in the first six months of this year, as well as 9,000 other types of attack drones. We have been talking about sanctions and the Minister referred to the 19th iteration of these. Does he think they are biting? Could he reassure the House about that?

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Another figure that the Ukrainian ambassador cited was that 1,000 drones are being built every day in Russia. Those drones are not being used for delivering a cup of coffee or medicine, we all know that, stark as it is. The sanctions package is very interesting. An Irishman, David O'Sullivan, has the EU responsibility of monitoring sanctions and seeing how they impact. I attended a Foreign Affairs Council meeting in May when he provided his report which showed that yes, the sanctions are having an effect, not only on the oligarchs who prop up Putin's regime but also on the critical economic infrastructure of Russia. They are having an effect but it must be said that there are certain EU member states who restrict the ability for these sanctions to go as far as Ireland and like-minded countries would like. It must also be said that of all EU member states, Ireland comes top of the charts when it comes to adherence to and enforcement of these sanctions.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is not contained in my question but I know one of the things we contribute towards is de-mining. I am throwing the issue at the Minister of State in an unanticipated way and will accept a written response on it. It just came to mind. Can the Minister of State inform the House about what that involves and what the money is expended on?

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The primary role of the de-mining is in respect of training Ukrainian civilian authorities to clear mines. This is done by members of the Defence Forces. Ireland has a particular expertise globally in de-mining. We have been to the forefront of a number of training missions across Africa. We are still active in Uganda through the United Nations. In the last two years the Defence Forces acquired new de-mining equipment that is top of the range, to ensure that our Defence Forces officers are able to implement that, not only when participating in peacekeeping missions, but also when they are training.

If I may refer to a very clear point the Deputy made at the end of his last intervention, the material impact of this ongoing war in Ukraine is felt by every single household in this country. It is felt in our grocery bills and energy bills. The further this war goes on, the further Russia is allowed to make advances, it hurts the Irish people in their pocket as well as detrimentally and existentially hurting the security of not just Ireland but Europe going forward.