Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Russia should be held accountable for the appalling damage it is causing in Ukraine. Ireland is actively involved in discussions on exploring the use of immobilised assets to cover the costs of reconstruction in Ukraine.

Ireland participates in the Ad Hoc Working Group established by the European Council to analyse the legal, financial, economic and political feasibility of this question. Discussions are currently focused on a ‘windfall contribution’ option. This would establish a framework to use the interest generated on immobilised Russian Central Bank funds for reconstruction in Ukraine. The European Council conclusions of 26 and 27 October call for work on this matter to be accelerated with a view to submitting a legislative proposal.

Ireland supports this ongoing work to determine how revenues stemming from immobilised Russian sovereign assets could be directed under applicable laws to support Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction. We have underlined the importance of coordination with international partners on this matter, as well as the need to take into account the views of the European Central Bank (ECB) concerning financial stability and the potential impact any decision could have on the international role of the Euro.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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228. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade what action Ireland is taking in relation to Russia's unlawful deportation and transfer to Russia of Ukrainian children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50036/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has been to the forefront of international efforts to ensure accountability for crimes committed by Russia in the course of its illegal invasion of Ukraine, including the large-scale deportation of Ukrainian children to the territory of Russia and Belarus.

Ireland has raised this issue at multilateral fora, both in our national capacity and as part of the European Union. Ireland co-sponsored a Human Rights Council resolution establishing the Independent International Commission of Inquiry to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

In September 2022, the Commission found that, amongst other grave human rights violations, children have been unlawfully deported to the Russian Federation. In subsequent reports in March and October 2023, the Commission documented further evidence of crimes committed by Russian authorities in Ukraine.

Ireland welcomed the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s Prosecutor to issue arrest warrants for President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova in respect of possible war crimes related to the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from Ukraine to Russia. Last year Ireland made a voluntary contribution of €1m to the Office of the Prosecutor to assist in the investigation of all situations before the Court, including in Ukraine.

On 23 June, the EU’s eleventh sanctions package in response to Russia’s invasion included individuals involved in the illegal deportation of children.

On 30 June, the European Council condemned Russia’s unlawful deportation and transfer to Russia and to Belarus of Ukrainian children and called on the Russian Federation and Belarus to immediately ensure their safe return.

Ireland will continue to engage with our international partners to ensure accountability for Russia’s actions during the course of this brutal invasion.