Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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342. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the Irish Embassy in Kyiv will reopen; when Irish diplomats will return to Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33643/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland's diplomats posted to Kyiv were evacuated as a result of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ireland's Embassy to Kyiv has continued to operate remotely, initially from Dublin. It is currently operating remotely from Warsaw.

I believe that it is important to have a physical, sustained presence in Kyiv, as an integral part of our overall commitment to Ukraine, as it continues to face an unwarranted, illegal and immoral attack on its territorial integrity and sovereignty by Russia. Work is underway in evaluating in particular what security measures must be in place before our diplomats can return to Ukraine.

My Department strongly advises against all travel to Ukraine, for any purpose. Irish citizens in Ukraine should leave if safe to do so. The capacity of the Department to provide consular assistance to citizens in Ukraine is extremely limited.