John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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94. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent visit to Kyiv; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22894/22]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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136. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent visit to Bucha; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22663/22]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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144. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent trip to Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22927/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 136 and 144 together.

On 14 April I visited Kyiv and the town of Bucha. I was the first Foreign Minister to visit Kyiv since the Russian invasion began on 24 February. While in Ukraine, I met with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov.

I expressed solidarity with and extended condolences to Minister Kuleba and the people of Ukraine. I outlined Ireland’s contribution to humanitarian assistance and EU sanctions decisions. I also made clear that Ireland's role on the UN Security Council, the upcoming seat on the Executive Board of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, and upcoming Chairmanship of the Council of Europe can be useful in highlighting the conflict in Ukraine and tackling disinformation by Russia as it occurs. I highlighted Ireland’s clear support for the fast tracking of Ukraine’s EU membership ambitions, and indicated that Ireland would continue to take a leadership role on this issue.

Defence Minister Reznikov briefed me on the situation on the ground in Ukraine, and we also discussed Ireland’s humanitarian assistance, as well as our active roles in settings such as the EU, the UN Security Council, the Council of Europe and the Human Rights Council.

I visited Bucha, a town 25 kilometres outside Kyiv, and met with its mayor, Mr Anatoliy Fedoruk. I saw mass graves in Bucha, where 503 civilians had been identified. I expressed the condolences of the Irish Government and people, and said that I would bear witness to the terrible atrocities in Bucha and raise this internationally, I briefed the UN Security Council the next week on what I had seen in Bucha. Those who perpetrated these heinous crimes must be brought to justice.

During the visit, I also announced additional funding of €3m to the International Criminal Court, with an initial €1m being given to the Prosecutor’s Office and the further €2m to the International Criminal Court at a later stage. This will assist with regard to all situations before the court.