Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

92. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had discussions with his EU counterparts on what can be done to intensify the provision of humanitarian and civil protection assistance to Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20575/24]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland has been steadfast in our support for the people and Government of Ukraine. We will continue to work closely with our EU partners to ensure Ukraine gets the support it needs to continue to defend itself against Russian aggression, and to address the humanitarian consequences.

The European Council in March again confirmed the European Union’s unwavering commitment to provide comprehensive and multifaceted support to Ukraine and its people, including through the recently agreed Ukraine Facility which commits €50 billion in grants and loans. The EU collectively has provided some €85 billion in support to Ukraine.

Ireland has provided over €90 million in stabilisation and humanitarian support for Ukraine since February 2022, with commitments to date of some €250 million in non-lethal military assistance under the European Peace Facility. Our humanitarian assistance has focused on those most vulnerable and targets critical needs.

Ireland has also provided significant in-kind assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), including support to the health and energy sectors which are vital in the face of repeated Russian attacks on this critical infrastructure. This is the largest UCPM operation to date with the Commission and Member States providing in kind assistance of over EUR 796 million.

We remain committed to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes. This year, we plan to provide over €20 million in humanitarian assistance, with additional funding to be allocated to support development and recovery efforts.

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

Moldova has been significantly impacted by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In addition to taking in the highest number of Ukrainian refugees per capita in Europe, there is ongoing evidence that Moldova has been systematically targeted with hybrid attacks by the Russian Federation, with the aim of destabilising Moldova’s democracy and derailing its EU membership path.

Ireland and the EU continue to monitor developments in Transnistria, which continues to host a Russian military presence within Moldova’s internationally recognised borders, further adding to tensions in the region. It is clear that Moldova has been subject to foreign interference and disinformation efforts in an attempt to sow discord and undermine democratic processes.

In response, the EU has provided Moldova with significant financial and political support over the past two years. Last year, Ireland supported the creation of the EU Partnership Mission in Moldova to enhance resilience in the security sector against hybrid threats, and supported the decision to adopt a new sanctions regime, targeting individuals who seek to destabilise Moldova. To date, 11 such individuals have been sanctioned.

Ireland supports the EU’s increased cooperation with and assistance to Moldova and we continue to engage bilaterally with our Moldovan counterparts on these issues. I personally met with Foreign Minister Popsoi during the Munich Security Conference to discuss the challenges Moldova is facing. Ireland announced €2 million in support to Moldova at the Moldova Support Platform in October last year, in addition to €5 million previously committed. Minister Carroll MacNeill also met with Deputy Prime Minister Cristina Gherasimov on 30 April in Brussels to discuss Moldova’s EU accession process and ongoing reform efforts.

The Government has also decided to open a resident embassy in Chisinau in 2025, which reflects our commitment to EU enlargement and to the further development of bilateral relations with Moldova.