Written answers

Thursday, 24 March 2022

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ukraine War

Photo of Ruairi Ó MurchúRuairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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95. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his engagements with the Ukrainian Government and Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland. [15376/22]

Photo of Neale RichmondNeale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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127. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the response of his Department to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14472/22]

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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149. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on any recent conversations with his Ukrainian counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15478/22]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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162. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the role of Ireland in supporting efforts to end the war in Ukraine. [15364/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 127, 149 and 162 together.

My Department has been responding to this multi-dimensional crisis across many areas including as a member of the EU, particularly the preparation and coordination of sanctions, through our membership of international and regional organisations, particularly the United Nations, through the provision of consular services to Irish citizens, in the provision of humanitarian aid, as well as in ongoing monitoring and reporting on the geopolitical, security and policy implications of the further invasion of Ukraine by Russia and, finally, its impact on our bilateral relations with many states. I have set out the work of my Department to date in my addresses to both the Dáil and the Seanad.

Ireland has been, and will continue to be, unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have been clear that Russia's further invasion of Ukraine is a blatant violation of the UN Charter and a breach of international law for which Russia must be held accountable. Ireland has been actively engaged in efforts across the multilateral system to respond to Russian aggression, alleviate the humanitarian crisis and bring an end to this conflict.

Ireland joined with 38 other state parties in referring the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court, ICC, to investigate alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. By taking this action, the ICC prosecutor is now able to immediately begin a formal investigation.

Ireland’s efforts at the UN, EU, International Criminal Court, the Council of Europe, the OSCE -and across all multilateral institutions - are aimed at bringing an end to this conflict, ensuring accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law and meeting the humanitarian needs of those caught in the conflict.

As part of Ireland's support to Ukraine, we have also been in close contact with representatives of the Ukrainian government. On 3 March, I was pleased to meet with Ukraine's Ambassador to Ireland, H. E. Larysa Gerasko, and assure her of Ireland's solidarity with Ukraine. My officials are also in regular, near daily contact with her and her Embassy team. Ireland's Embassy to Ukraine continues to operate remotely and to engage with the Ukrainian government including facilitating contact with relevant stakeholders in Ireland.

I have also been pleased to engage with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on numerous occasions in recent weeks as part of Foreign Affairs Council proceedings. I have expressed my admiration for the efforts of the Ukrainian government under pressure and re-iterated that Ireland's commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering.

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