Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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98. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number and dates of all meetings of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group that were held in 2022 at which Ireland was represented; the details of the next meeting of the group; if Ireland will be represented at that meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48952/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Following a conference at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany on 26 April, organised by the United States to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine, particularly Ukrainian defence capabilities, as well as pledge and coordinate further support to Ukraine, Ireland was invited to join the newly-formed Ukraine Defence Contact Group.

Meetings of the Group have taken place on 23 May, 15 June, 20 July and 8 September. In each case, Ireland was represented at senior official level from the Department of Defence and at senior military level by the Defence Forces. These meetings have alternated between video conferences and in-person meetings.

This Group provides a forum to discuss the response of the international community to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ireland has provided military equipment in the form of body armour and ready-to-eat meals to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and has committed to contribute a further €55 million through the European Peace Facility.

The contact group has grown to more than 50 participating members, including almost all NATO and EU Member States as well as a number of African and Asian countries.

It is considered useful for Ireland to avail of all appropriate opportunities for high-level and diplomatic engagement on issues relating to Ukraine, particularly as regards the long-term perspectives for the conflict, the potential scenarios ahead, including any eventual pathway to a negotiated solution, as well as the wider transformation of the European security landscape.

The next meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group will take place in Brussels on 12 October and it is expected that Ireland will be represented once again at senior official and Defence Force level.