Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We all are very much aware of ongoing brutality of Putin's war on Ukraine. The fact the European Union has stood so strongly together in introducing a range of sanctions is something to be welcomed. However, it is a matter of concern there a significant number of companies continue to do business in Russia and indeed with Putin's regime. The Yale School of Management has conducted an extensive examination of the companies that are interacting with Russia. It is fortunate that any of them based in Ireland have all been found to have withdrawn, so there are no Irish-based companies continuing to interact with the regime. However, it has determined there are 244 global companies where it is effectively business as usual with Russia. Some of these are based in our fellow EU member states but others are very well-known brands. These include Asics, Benetton, Clarins, Diesel, Giorgio Armani, Etihad Airways, Hard Rock Cafe, Lacoste, Patreon, Phillips, Qatar Airways, TGI Fridays, and Turkish Airlines. I wish to especially highlight Emirates, as it is a company that operates a lot out of Ireland. It is very clear the United Arab Emirates, UAE, is becoming a safe haven for both Russian money and for wealthy Russian oligarchs who want to escape the sanctions that have been applied against Russia. It is notable, for instance, that the share of Russian buyers of real estate in Dubai in quarter 1 has gone up by 67% based on purchasing rates.

First, I would like us to call on those companies to take action. Second, I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to call in the ambassador of the UAE and that clarity is provided around what action it is taking against Putin's unjust war against Ukraine and also that, as the Emirates airline is owned by the UAE, that action be taken to stop co-operation between the airline and the Russian regime. There is an obligation on all of us to highlight those companies that are seeking to avoid the sanctions governments are trying to ensure are followed.