John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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1168. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is satisfied that sufficient measures have been taken to comply with the Phase 2 sanctions imposed at EU level on the Russian Federation; and if all State agencies have reviewed and withdrawn from any engagement with the listed persons or companies. [33089/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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At their extraordinary meeting on 6 March, EU Heads of State and Government set out a three-phase road map providing for progressively more punitive EU measures against the Russian Federation in view of its action in destabilising the situation in Ukraine. It was agreed at that meeting to suspend talks with Russia on visa liberalisation and on a new agreement to underpin bilateral relations as part of the first phase of measures. At its meeting on 17 March, the Foreign Affairs Council implemented the second phase of measures envisaged by the EU Heads of State and Government, namely travel restrictions and an asset freeze against named individuals responsible for actions which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

In the period since then, successive meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council have added new names to the list of those subject to a visa ban and asset freeze. In light of the deteriorating security situation in Eastern Ukraine, the Foreign Affairs Council on 12 May agreed to a broadening of Phase 2 measures to include companies based in Crimea which are deemed to have benefitted from its illegal annexation by the Russian Federation.

To date, 119 individuals and 23 entities have been targeted by Phase 2 measures.

My Department liaises closely with all relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Finance, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Justice and Equality and the Central Bank, who are responsible for the implementation and enforcement of sanctions domestically.

I am satisfied that all necessary measures to comply with our obligations in relation to Phase 2 sanctions are being taken.