Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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324. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to detail any bilateral contacts or lobbying that he has received concerning the issue of the European Council's imposition of sanctions following the Russian federation's invasion and partition of Ukrainian territory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17908/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that I have received no direct representations relating to the EU sanctions against Russia, which were extended last week for a further six months until 31 January 2017.

Unfortunately, key elements of the Minsk agreements, which provide the basis for a comprehensive and lasting political resolution to the conflict, remain far from implementation. These include the maintenance of a comprehensive ceasefire and the withdrawal of all heavy weapons from the contact line. The absence of a stable ceasefire is hampering ongoing efforts to advance key provisions of the agreements, in particular the holding of local elections in Donetsk and Luhansk in accordance with OSCE standards and the passing by the Ukraine parliament of a law granting a special status to the regions.

Given the lack of progress in implementing the Minsk agreements to date, Ireland supported the decision to roll over the sanctions until 31 January 2017.