Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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181. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions he has had with his counterparts in the European Union or with other governments and international agencies in relation to the interception of a flight (details supplied) over Belarus air space on 23 May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29030/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland strongly condemns the forced landing of a Ryanair aircraft by the Belarusian authorities on 23 May. It is clear that this action was taken with the sole purpose of detaining a journalist whose views are critical of the Lukashenko regime. These totally unacceptable actions put the safety of the passengers and crew at risk.

Ireland calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Roman Protasevich, Sofia Sapega and all those unjustly detained in Belarus.

I have raised our concerns over this incident in my contacts with EU and international partners and my Department has made our objections clear to the Belarusian Embassy in London.

On Monday 24 May, the Taoiseach discussed this incident with other EU leaders. On foot of those discussions, EU Leaders agreed on concrete steps to protect our citizens and to hold those responsible for this outrageous incident accountable for their actions. Measures agreed upon include a call for an immediate International Civil Aviation Organization investigation, additional sanctions, advising EU airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace and a move to ban Belarusian airlines from EU airspace.

Lukashenko holds no democratic legitimacy and has shown a flagrant disregard for international law. Ireland remains steadfast in our solidarity with the Belarusian people and in our support for their right to determine the future of their country.