Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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72. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Government will make efforts to ensure that European sanctions are made against Rosatom, the Russian atomic agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23432/26]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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In the four years since the start of Russia's appalling war of aggression against Ukraine, there has been a wide range of sanctions against Russian individuals and companies, and against the Russian Government. In recent days, we have, unfortunately, seen an easing of sanctions on oil and gas by the United States. I am sure that is something the Minister regrets. That move makes it all the more important that Europe maintains a robust approach to sanctions. It is remarkable that four years in, given the centrality of atomic energy to the Russian economy and the Russian war effort, the Russian atomic agency, Rosatom, has not been sanctioned. I want the Minister to raise the issue at the European level and encourage action.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has consistently supported strong sanctions in response to Russia's illegal war of aggression in Ukraine, which, as the Deputy said, has been ongoing for more than four years. The sanctions adopted in response to Russia's actions in Ukraine are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history. Over 2,700 individuals and entities are now subject to EU restrictive measures. An unprecedented range of sectoral measures against Russia have been adopted, including measures targeting the trade, finance, energy, technology, defence, media and maritime sectors. These measures are agreed on the basis of unanimous decisions of the Council of the European Union. They are carefully targeted to ensure maximum impact on Russia while avoiding unintended consequences, including for civil nuclear safety. To date, the EU has negotiated and adopted 19 packages of sanctions, all of which we have supported and have been keen to see progress as quickly as possible. Work is advancing on the 20th package of sanctions, which we hope can be agreed soon. We have had challenges in that regard, but hope we can make progress soon.

Since the extension of sanction measures introduced in 2022, the question of restrictions relating to Rosatom has not received unanimous support from EU member states. This is a complex issue, and the reason it has not received that support is that it touches on the energy supply chain for a number of countries. That is a matter that has been taken into consideration for any of the packages that have been agreed in recent years. We have supported successive rounds of sanctions against Russia and will continue to do so under our Presidency because we know they are having an impact. The clear feedback from our Ukrainian colleagues, and from what we can see in terms of the economy in Russia, and other actions we have taken, is that the sanctions are having an impact. We will continue, however we can, to press for and ensure that no sanctions are eased off if there is no peace agreement or peace deal moving forward.

The other way we can provide support is by making sure we agree a support package and continue to support Ukraine. I again highlight the fact that colleagues in this House, including the Deputy, did not vote for a €90 billion package that was intended to support people in Ukraine at a time when they desperately needed it. Sanctions are one thing, but we need to ensure we are providing financial and defence support, and any other kind of support, to Ukraine. If any future vote comes up, I urge the Deputy to do the same.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister will be well familiar with our support for civilian, humanitarian and infrastructural aid. That has been the case for several years, continues to be the case and will be the case in the future.

I welcome what the Minister has said about the sanctions. The package continues to be worked upon. The issue of sanctions against Rosatom is a very clear priority for the Ukrainian Government, as was articulated by President Zelenskyy in mid-February.

He has called for sanctions, given the centrality of the atomic agency to the Russian economy and the war of aggression. The Minister talked about the issue of nuclear safety. There is also the issue that nuclear infrastructure has been targeted in a way that is very dangerous to the civilian population in Zaporizhzhia. There have also been attacks on the protective shell at Chernobyl. Obviously, that will cause a huge amount of concern for people, when they cast their minds to the potential ramifications of that, so that is all the more reason.

I appreciate this is agreed at European level. The Minister talked about countries being vulnerable in terms of the supply chain. Ireland is not one of those countries. There is no reason Ireland should not push it. Will the Minister commit to using her voice to specifically call at a European level for such sanctions?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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We have supported and will always support further sanctions. The Deputy can be assured we will continue to support any sanctions package that is brought forward. There are considerations that have to be taken into account. In this particular instance, there are very clearly concerns that have been raised by a number of member states in terms of their own energy security. Nonetheless, even with those issues, 2,700 different individuals and-or companies have been sanctioned. It has had a huge impact. We want to see that continue.

On the €90 billion package, we are providing humanitarian assistance. To date, Ireland has provided €492 million in support of Ukraine, including €198 million in humanitarian assistance and stabilisation. Ukraine is saying to us that is not just what it needs. Of course, it needs humanitarian support, but it needs defence systems. The only way Ukraine has been able to withstand this brutal invasion for four years is it has been able to stop drone attacks because of air defence systems. Europe and Ireland need to continue to invest in it. That is what the €90 billion was about. It was not just humanitarian aid or aid for Ukraine's critical infrastructure at a time when subzero temperatures were impacting people's day-to-day lives. The fact drones have stopped this war from ending on Russia's terms is because we are providing that assistance. I again urge the Deputy, if the opportunity arises, to support this type of funding.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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I say again to the Minister that civil, humanitarian and infrastructural aid is important. It should continue and Ireland should continue to support that.

I will raise the issue of Aughinish Alumina in County Limerick, which provides alumina. In recent days, a report in The Irish Times highlighted the fact that smelters supply aluminium to a Moscow-based trading company, which in turn supplies Russia's military industry. That is obviously a concern. The Russian smelters and Aughinish are owned by Rusal, a company with deep connections to the Kremlin and Moscow's arms industry. It is important, when we are considering how to ensure sanctions are effective, that issues like this are taken into account.

I will again ask the Minister specifically. She talked in generalities about the need to support sanctions. I agree with her but I ask her specifically, and I want a clear response in relation to this, whether it is her intention to raise the specific item of Rosatom, which is a priority for the Ukrainian Government. Will she specifically ask that this be included in the next package? That is not a difficult question to answer. I want a clear answer to that and not on the Government's support for sanctions generally. I am aware of that. I appreciate and welcome it but will she call for that specifically?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Apologies; I thought I was clear. We have already supported that. However, there was not unanimity. My understanding is that will not change. We have already supported the progress of sanctions in all instances but there is not unanimity. It is not Ireland's choice at the end of the day. We are one of many member states. We have supported all the packages that have been agreed unanimously over the past number of years. We will continue to support and push for the twentieth sanctions package that is currently on the table. We know it is making a difference and having an impact. There may be more we can do. In the same way, as the Deputy mentioned, Aughinish Alumina has a significant role in supply chains across Europe, there are many similar pieces of infrastructure that have implications beyond the sanctions themselves for European member states. All of these have to be taken into consideration when any sanctions are being put forward. There was not unanimity when it came to this particular plant. I am clear on that-----

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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I ask the Minister to please clarify-----

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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-----but we are focused on the twentieth package. We have a package that we have been working on. We are focused on that and have been pushing for it. While we have not had success at the most recent Council, I hope we will be able to make progress. The sanctions are having an impact and are impacting on Russia's ability to continue this war.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Nolan apologises that she cannot be here for Question No. 73.