Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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116. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on Ireland’s action at the United Nations in relation to the situation in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15336/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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At the United Nations, Ireland has been at the forefront of efforts to hold Russia internationally accountable for its actions. Ireland has been fully engaged at each of the 13 times when the Security Council discussed Ukraine to date in 2022. 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 and to call on Russia to immediately withdraw its forces from the entire territory of Ukraine.

Ireland actively supported efforts to bring a resolution condemning the invasion to the Security Council. Although Russia vetoed this resolution, this did not stop Ireland and the international community in holding Russia to account, and we joined like-minded partners in calling for an Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly to discuss the crisis, only the 11th time in UN history that this has happened.

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 on 2 March. This marked a powerful global rejection of Russia’s aggression against a sovereign state.

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 is continuing to work with our partners at the Security Council and General Assembly to support genuine efforts to ensure humanitarian access.

Prior to Russia's further invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, Ireland had repeatedly reaffirmed its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine at United Nations Security Council meetings on Ukraine this year and last year, including at Arria formula meetings.