Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Earlier I tabled a Commencement matter in respect of Ukraine and the mutual recognition of professional qualifications. There are many other things we need to do at a legislative level to support Ukraine. I refer to Resolution 2436 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and to a number of points it made about actions that can be taken to support Ukraine at a legislative level. For example, the first is legislating for the crime of aggression, something that is recognised now in the European Convention on Human Rights through the Kampala amendments, to which Ireland signed up in 2019. There is an avenue there for us to talk about what is happening there, with the blockading of ports being the most simple one. The bombing and invasion have been recognised pursuant to the Kampala amendments. That is something we could do. Other measures include the creation of a universal civil jurisdiction that would allow us to say that we know there are Russian assets, not just Russian state assets in Ireland but personal assets of people who are and are not the subject of sanctions. A universal civil jurisdiction would allow us to start to seize those assets and put them towards the reconstruction of Ukraine or provide Ukraine with assistance rather than allow a situation to continue where assets are merely frozen here by actions of the Government.

We now have a window in which we can take action against Russia. Yes, Russia has been excluded from the Council of Europe but until 16 September we have a small window within which we can take an action against Russia in the European Court of Human Rights for breaching the European Convention on Human Rights. Ireland should step up to the plate and make sure that we take this action.

Finally, I welcome the fact the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, put forward €4 million towards the International Criminal Court to help in the prosecution of war crimes that have been committed. Some €1 million has been delivered but I wonder if better use can be made of the remaining €3 million. Can that sum be directed specifically to the Prosecutor-General in Ukraine? I have met her staff in Ukraine and they are very together. As Members will know, this week they have achieved a conviction or a guilty plea in respect of one tank commander. I think the remaining €3 million might be better directed at the people on the ground who are doing this work.As counsel before the International Criminal Court, I have nothing but praise for it but it takes time and it seems that it could be more effectively directed on the ground in Ukraine.