Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

224. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he, alone or together, with other European Union member states, can prevail on the Russian authorities for an immediate ceasefire and a properly coordinated process to deal with the damages caused in the Russian occupation of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15688/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

225. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his European Union colleagues have agreed on a means of ensuring the withdrawal of the Russian forces from Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15689/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

226. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent of the discussions he has had with European Union or United Nations partners with a view to bringing to an immediate end the occupation of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15690/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

227. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he has interacted with his European Union colleagues with a view to making available the highest level of support for Ukrainian refugees currently under constant bombardment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15691/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

228. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the international community is alert to the current attempted occupation of Ukraine, a sovereign state, by the Russian authorities; if it is recognised that a precedent is being set; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15692/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

229. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the United Nations has addressed or intends to address the issue of the attempted occupation of Ukraine; if it is intended to allow all sovereign states to become future victims of a similar occupation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15693/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

230. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when it will be determined that diplomatic efforts to end the hostilities in Ukraine are not working; the extent to which other options can be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15694/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

231. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the international community accepts the inevitability of the occupation of further or adjoining sovereign states by greater powers having regard to the situation in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15695/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 to 231, inclusive, together.

Since the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified further invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces on 24 February 2022, Ireland has stood in unwavering solidarity with the people and government of Ukraine.

Ireland is working at the UN, EU, International Criminal Court, the Council of Europe, the OSCE - and across all relevant multilateral institutions - to bring an end to this war, to ensure accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights norms and standards, and to meet the humanitarian needs of those caught in the conflict.

The response of the EU has been strong and swift in both words and actions. This reflects collective EU solidarity with Ukraine and intensive work by the Member States and the EU institutions. The EU has imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia. The principal rationale of these actions is to incentivise Russia to find a political solution to the conflict that President Putin has created, and to reduce the funding available to Russia to continue its illegal actions in Ukraine. At the most recent meeting of Foreign Ministers on 21 March 2022, I discussed the impact of these sanctions with my colleagues and the options for implementing further measures.

The EU has also committed over a billion euros in support to Ukraine. Ireland is contributing to a number of EU mechanisms to assist Ukraine, including the new European Peace Facility. We have also contributed to the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism, and we are engaged on discussions on coordinating the EU’s response to help the millions of people, mostly women and children, who have been forced to flee Ukraine.

At the United Nations, Ireland has been at the forefront of efforts to hold Russia internationally accountable for its actions. As a member of the Security Council we are fully committed to ensuring that the situation in Ukraine continues to be considered by the Council. We have actively supported Security Council and General Assembly meetings on Ukraine, and have urged others to join us in condemning Russia’s invasion and in calling on Russia to immediately withdraw its forces from the entire territory of Ukraine.

Ireland, along with our partners, will continue to support genuine efforts at the UN Security Council to ensure safe and unhindered access of humanitarian assistance to those who need it, and to call for full respect of international humanitarian law. We have backed this up with concrete support and a package of €20 million in humanitarian aid (from Irish Aid), as well as medical supplies from the HSE, which is being disbursed through our partners in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

Ireland stands ready to support any initiative which can achieve a peaceful resolution of the conflict, and which respects Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. My Department is monitoring developments in relation to efforts to negotiate a peaceful end to the conflict and stands ready to support initiatives which can deliver peace in line with international law, particularly international humanitarian law as well as international human rights norms and standards.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

232. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the anticipated full extent to which Ireland might be in a position to address the issue of refugees from Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15696/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine continues to cause immense suffering and has forced millions of people, mostly women and children, to flee their homes and their country.

Every part of Government is working intensely to respond to what has been the fastest growing refugee crisis since World War Two. The Department of Taoiseach is coordinating the response across all relevant domestic stakeholders, including with the Department of Justice, the Department of Housing, the Department of Social Protection, and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

My Department will continue to work closely with colleagues across Government as part of this coordinated national response. The Department is also working to ensure the delivery of the €20 million in humanitarian aid which is already being disbursed through our partners in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

On 4 March 2022 the EU agreed to activate the Temporary Protection Directive which allows for beneficiaries to receive the support and protection of the Irish State through a quick and streamlined process. Such people have protection status for up to a year (with a possibility of extension where appropriate so overall period would not exceed three years), and would be entitled to access employment and State supports including, accommodation, healthcare and social welfare on the same basis as Irish Nationals.

Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Moldova have received more than 3.5 million refugees and demonstrated tremendous solidarity and generosity. The humanity and the effectiveness of their response has been outstanding. The burden needs to be shared equitably amongst EU Member States and the Government is committed to ensuring that Ireland plays its part.