Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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37. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether the European Union plans initiatives in response to the destruction of the dam at Nova Kakhovka; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28797/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 37 together.

On 6 June, the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant Dam (Kakhovka Dam) across the Dnipro river was destroyed, unleashing a torrent of flood water across the conflict zone. The destruction of Kakhovka dam is a serious development, which poses a severe threat to human life and the environment, and will have far-reaching consequences.

This reckless act is yet another brutal consequence of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. Any intentional targeting of civilian objects, including critical infrastructure, is a war crime. The issue was addressed by the UN Security Council on June 6.

The Ukrainian Red Cross Society Emergency Response Teams and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have been activated to support the affected population in Kherson and will assist with the provision of emergency shelter, clean drinking water and food, mobile health care and hygiene centres, among other urgent supports. In the immediate wake of the disaster last week, I announced €1 million of Irish Aid funding to support these organisations in their efforts.

I am particularly concerned by the serious risk of pollution, as well as the risk to human life as a result of the dislocation of mines and explosive ordnance over a much wider region. I understand also that Russian forces have been continuing to shell the region, creating a further obstacle to the relief operation. I utterly condemn this further brutal act of aggression.

Ireland has been active in coordinating our response with EU partners and we participated in a meeting of the EU’s Integrated Political Crisis Response group in Brussels earlier this week. We will continue this coordination as the situation develops and further specific needs emerge. I expect this will also be a focus of our discussions at the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council later this month.