James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

177. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade what action Ireland is taking with European partners to counter false Russian narratives and disinformation about the war on Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50055/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Information manipulation and interference, including disinformation, by the Russian Federation has been of concern for the EU and its Member States for some time, and has become more acute since the illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine in February last year. In this regard, the Russian Federation has been seen to use a wide spectrum of tactics and techniques with the objective of sowing divisions in societies, denigrating democratic processes and institutions and rallying support for its policies.

The European Union has taken extensive measures to counter Russian disinformation since the outset of the conflict last year, primarily through the Strategic Compass, which provided for the development of new EU Hybrid and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) Toolboxes. The Toolboxes, which are now agreed, provide a range of preventive, cooperative, stability-building, restrictive and support measures for the EU, its Member States and partner countries.

The Toolboxes build on and complement a range of other EU measures to counter disinformation, including information manipulation of Russian origin, such as the ongoing work of the Digital Services Agreement, the European External Action Service (EEAS) East Stratcom Taskforce, the Code of Practice on Disinformation and the work of fourteen European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) hubs across the EU, including the EDMO Ireland hub that is coordinated from Dublin City University.

Ireland is strongly supportive of these measures at EU level and has also provided support to independent media platforms throughout the European Neighbourhood to continue vital work and counter Russian narratives. The Government is also taking a number of steps domestically to counter disinformation, including the current development of a new National Counter Disinformation Strategy, as well as the establishment of Coimisiún na Mean and An Coimisiún Toghcháin, both of which will have specific powers related to countering disinformation.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

181. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any engagement with Iran in relation to its continued military support for Russia's war on Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50162/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The European Union has made clear its concerns about Iran's supply of military equipment to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine. These concerns were expressed most recently in the Conclusions of the European Council in October. They have also been raised in the context of discussions with Iran about certain EU sanctions in the military sector.

The Iranian Government is well aware of these concerns. Senior officials in my Department have engaged with Iranian counterparts on this question. Iran claims that Iranian weapons used by Russia in Ukraine were bought by Russia prior to its invasion of Ukraine. I am not confident that this is the case.

In recent weeks I have spoken twice to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in relation to the crisis in Gaza. I spoke to him of the necessity for an immediate ceasefire, of avoiding any escalation of the conflict around the region, and of humanitarian issues, particularly the release of hostages.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland, along with our EU partners, has consistently called on China to use its influence on Russia to press them to bring an end to their illegal war in Ukraine.

During my visit to Beijing last week, I raised Russia's war in Ukraine with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with Vice President Han and with Minister Liu Jianchao. I underlined the impacts of the conflict on Ukraine and its people, including the loss of many young lives, and our concerns for the winter ahead, as well as the impacts on Europe and beyond. I was clear that the crisis remains central to EU policy making discussions and that China's position is an important factor in EU-China relations.

During a lengthy exchange with Foreign Minister Wang, I reiterated Ireland’s commitment to the United Nations and to the wider multilateral system and underlined that any peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine must be based on the United Nations Charter and must respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China has a clear responsibility to defend and promote the Charter and the rules based international order, including in relation to the use of force and territorial integrity. I asked Foreign Minister Wang to ensure that China play a constructive and active role on Ukraine commensurate with its global position, and, in particular, that China use its influence on Russia to advocate for an immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. I noted Ireland’s desire that China engage with President Zelenskyy’s peace formula.

In our exchange, Foreign Minister Wang said that China wishes to see an end to the conflict, and that, in line with China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis, published in February 2023, the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries must be effectively upheld.

The EU and China will hold a Summit meeting in early December. Russia’s war in Ukraine is likely to be central to discussions during that meeting. Ireland will continue to urge China to engage constructively and on the basis of the United Nations Charter to bring an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.