Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this opportunity to speak about Ukraine.

Events in eastern Ukraine over recent days are a matter of grave concern. The actions of armed individuals in several cities there clearly represent a highly organised and co-ordinated attempt to destabilise the country and undermine the Government in Kiev. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement yesterday in which he condemned these developments and called on the Russian Federation to publicly repudiate this illegal armed activity in Ukraine.

The concerns of the Government about the situation in Ukraine have been widely reflected among the public at large over recent months. Throughout every phase in this, we have worked closely with our partners in the European Union. I do not accept that Ireland or the EU has been weak in its response to the crisis in Ukraine. Our messages throughout this crisis have been strong, just as they have been consistent and clear. All member states have been, and are, united in their views that what has happened in Ukraine is completely unacceptable and that it will have consequences for our relations with Russia.

From the beginning, the EU has played an active role in trying to facilitate a resolution to the crisis in Ukraine. In addition to its scheduled meetings, the EU Foreign Affairs Council has met twice in extraordinary session to discuss the situation in Ukraine, and the EU Heads of State and Government also have discussed Ukraine in extraordinary session as well as during the regular meetings of the European Council. On 6 March, the Heads of State and Government set out a three-phase roadmap for targeted measures against the Russian Federation in the absence of steps to de-escalate the situation. They also endorsed the decision of foreign Ministers to suspend talks with Russia on visa matters and on a new agreement, both stated priorities of the Russian Government.

Following the holding of the referendum in Crimea, the Foreign Affairs Council implemented the second phase of measures involving the imposition of travel restrictions and an asset freeze against 21 Russian and Ukrainian officials involved in undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade yesterday participated in the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, where there was a detailed discussion of the crisis in Ukraine. Ministers decided to expand the list of those to whom visa bans and asset freezes will apply. Preparatory work continues on so-called phase three measures so that further steps can be taken should they be required. Ministers also agreed to send an expert mission to Ukraine to prepare for possible EU assistance in support of the police and the rule of law. Yesterday's Foreign Affairs Council also adopted a decision on macro-financial assistance for Ukraine, which brings the total amount of funding being made available by the EU to €1.6 billion. The support is part of a broader package of international support put together by the IMF, which is conditional on Ukraine's implementation of wide-ranging reforms.

The EU has consistently stressed the importance of maintaining open channels of communication with the Russian Federation. We welcome, therefore, the quartet talks involving Russia, the US, Ukraine, and the EU which are to take place in Geneva this week. The EU will continue its engagement in international facilitation initiatives involving the UN, the OSCE and others. Ireland is participating fully in these efforts. We sent an officer to the initial interim OSCE mission, we will be sending an officer to join the Polish-led second interim OSCE mission, and Irish personnel will take part in the main OSCE mission that has been agreed upon and is being put in place. Ireland has made it consistently clear that external pressure on Ukraine is unacceptable. In March, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade personally expressed Ireland's condemnation of Russia's actions in Crimea to the Russian ambassador to Ireland and requested him to convey Ireland's deep concern to his government. Earlier this month, the Minister of State, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, moved a cross-party Dáil motion condemning the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol to the Russian Federation and pledging solidarity with and support for Ukraine. Last week, in a meeting with a Russian Deputy Minister, the Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello, reiterated in the clearest terms our position on Crimea and expressed concern for the Tatar and Ukrainian-speaking populations there, as well as other minority communities in Ukraine.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade yesterday condemned the most recent provocations in eastern Ukraine which have led to loss of life. Also, the Foreign Affairs Council yesterday expressed strong support for the holding of free and fair presidential elections on 25 May. Ireland is sending a team of observers to Ukraine to help achieve that objective, one which will allow the Ukrainian people to determine their own future and help build trust across the country. It is in the interest of the entire region that a sovereign, prosperous, stable, democratic and inclusive Ukraine emerges from the current crisis.