Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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26. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his engagements during his recent visit to Ukraine. [36233/24]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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27. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his engagements regarding the recent visit to Ukraine; the assistance levied by his Department in relation to the trip; if such assistance included any direction or advice in relation to members of media invited to join him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36234/24]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together.

At the invitation of President Zelenskyy, I visited Ukraine on 4 September.

I was pleased to take this valuable opportunity to see for myself the situation on the ground, and to hear directly how the war is impacting on the lives of ordinary Ukrainians and humanitarian organisations. I also had political meetings with President Zelenskyy and with Prime Minister Shymhal.

I visited the town of Borodyanka, north of Kyiv, where I viewed buildings and community amenities destroyed in the early stages of Russia’s invasion,

I visited the village of Hostomel where I visited the UNHCR Core Homes Project which is supported by Irish Aid and aims to build 300 modular homes for families whose previous homes were destroyed.

In Kyiv, I visited the Child Rights Protection Centre where I met with UNICEF Deputy Representative for Operations, John Marks, and Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Mr. Dmytro Lubinets.

We discussed the devastating impact of the war on families, especially on children, including those who have been abducted by Russia.

I visited the Trypilska Thermal Power Plant which was the largest supplier of electricity to Kyiv and surrounding regions before it was severely damaged by a Russian missile attack in April 2024. I was briefed on the impact of Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and what is needed to maintain a functioning energy system, especially ahead of the winter.

In my meetings with President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Shmyhal, I reiterated that Ireland will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

President Zelenskyy briefed me on progress on his Peace Plan, and what Ireland can do to help ensure high-level participation, especially from the global south, when the time comes for a second Peace Summit.

He also briefed me on the work Ukraine is doing to advance its application for EU membership, and I reiterated Ireland’s strong support for this work, welcoming the holding of the first Intergovernmental Conference in June.

President Zelenskyy and I signed a bilateral agreement on support and cooperation between Ireland and Ukraine.

This pledges us both to deepen our cooperation and partnership based on our common interest in defending global multilateral system and international law, based on the UN Charter, and protecting fundamental rights and freedoms.

My discussions with Prime Minister Shmyhal also covered humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, developing further economic ties between Ireland and Ukraine and the reconstruction of Ukraine.

I was also pleased to announce a further €36 million in humanitarian and stabilisation support to Ukraine for 2024. This brings Ireland’s support for Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion to €380 million.

The Department of the Taoiseach worked closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland’s Embassy in Kyiv and with the Ukrainian authorities on all aspects of the arrangements for the visit to Ukraine.