Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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238. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the response of his Department to the Ukrainian war crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13723/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Since the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified further invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces on 24 February, Ireland has stood in unwavering solidarity with the people and government of Ukraine.

My Department has led on Ireland’s foreign policy response to this flagrant violation of international law and norms, including through multilateral engagement with European Union partners and at the United Nations, the development of sanctions and the provision of consular assistance to Irish citizens affected by the invasion, and the provision of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

I have met EU Foreign Ministers in a series of Foreign Affairs Council meetings since 24 February, to discuss and shape the international response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. Ireland has taken a forward stance on the European response, contributing to an ambitious sanctions package, the provision of aid and assistance to Ukraine, and the reevaluation of how the European Union engages with Russia.

At the United Nations, Ireland has been at the forefront of efforts to hold Russia internationally accountable for its actions. We have actively supported Security Council and General Assembly meetings on Ukraine, and have urged others to join us in condemning Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. Ireland co-sponsored a strong UN General Assembly resolution, condemning Russia’s aggression and calling for their immediate withdrawal, which was adopted with the support of the overwhelming majority of UN Member States. Ireland has called for the safe passage and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, including medical and food supplies, to those in need and has stressed the importance of safeguarding women and children during conflict. We have called on Russia to uphold its obligations under international law and to immediately and unconditionally withdraw its troops from within the internationally recognised borders of Ukraine.

Ireland has supported motions and resolutions to suspend Russia’s participation in various international bodies, including the Council of Europe.

My Department has also provided all possible consular assistance to Irish citizens affected by recent events. My officials remain in ongoing contact with registered Irish citizens in Ukraine, currently totalling around 55 people, and are in direct contact to provide assistance and support to families with surrogacy arrangements.

This is also a regional crisis and Ireland's Embassies in all of the affected countries continue to provide support and services at a time of heightened demand as well as engaging with their host governments in support and solidarity

We have thus far committed €20 million in humanitarian aid from the development assistance programme managed by my Department (Irish Aid) to help mitigate the impact of the appalling violence inflicted on ordinary people in Ukraine.

My Department continues to engage across Government in support of the wider national response by Ireland to this multi-dimensional crisis which is on a scale not seen in Europe since the Second World War.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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239. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there have been discussions at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the need to progress as quickly as possible the EU membership of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13737/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, on 28 February, President Volodomyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine submitted a letter to the European Presidency formally applying for membership of the European Union (EU), in accordance with Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union.

Separately, the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) met for an extraordinary meeting on 4 March to discuss Russian aggression against Ukraine. EU Foreign Ministers were joined by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, among others.

Ukraine’s application for EU membership was not the primary focus of discussion at the 4 March meeting of FAC. However, on 7 March, EU Ambassadors meeting in Brussels formally approved the text of three letters addressed from the Council to the European Commission, seeking the Commission’s opinion on the applications for EU membership received from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia in recent days. EU leaders meeting informally in Versailles on 10-11 March are also scheduled to endorse the decision to refer the three applications to the Commission for its opinion.

Ireland is a strong supporter of EU enlargement, and of Ukraine’s European perspective. Ukraine has made strong progress in aligning with EU standards and has shown extraordinary determination to uphold the values of the EU, and we are supportive of their accession. We must give hope to the people of Ukraine. They are demonstrating their strong support for the core EU values of democracy, human rights, a free media and economic and social progress.

It should be noted that the time it takes for a country to progress from initial interest in joining the EU, to becoming a fully-fledged candidate country, to actually joining the Union, is significant, as are the formal requirements for qualifying for membership. I also recognise that there are other candidate and potential candidate countries and that the commitments which have been made to them regarding the Enlargement process must be fulfilled.