Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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144. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the Ireland-Russia Joint Economic Commission; his views on same and the upcoming meeting in April; if it is envisaged that this meeting will go ahead in view of the unfolding events in Ukraine; the persons who are the members of the Ireland-Russia Joint Economic Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14986/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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A session of the Russia-Ireland Joint Economic Commission (JEC) has been scheduled in Ireland on 8 April. The JEC, which gives impetus to important areas of bilateral cooperation with the Russian Federation in the fields of agriculture, transport, science and technology and others, will be co-chaired by Minister of State Joe Costello for Ireland and Deputy Minister Travnikov on the Russian side. The other participants are officials drawn from various Government Departments, State Agencies and Russian Ministries with specialist knowledge and expertise in the different sectors discussed in the JEC's working groups. The meeting will also provide us with another opportunity to restate our concerns on the crisis in Ukraine to Russia.

Since there is no Council decision on such meetings or on the imposition of economic or trade sanctions, at this stage, we would envisage proceeding as planned. In view of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, however we are keeping matters under review and are engaged in the continuing discussions with our partners in Brussels.