Beimid ag tacú leis an rún. Tá sé tábhachtach go mbeidh cuntasacht ann agus go mbeidh pionós ar an Rúis de bharr na héagóra atá déanta i gcoinne na hÚcráine. We support this motion. We believe it is important for Ireland to continue to do what it can to support vulnerable people in Ukraine and elsewhere and to support the protection of human rights and international law globally. It is important in this debate, which is framed very much in the context of international law, accountability and compensation, that the Government be clear and robust in its defence of the multilateral system. It is very explicit and clear in this area but in others it could have done with being more clear about breaches of international law. It is important that Ireland's position, as part of an independent foreign policy that has been prized by all parties and by people from every political perspective in this House, is that the Irish Government calls out breaches of human rights, whether they are by countries we have friendly relationships with or otherwise. That is crucially important. A multilateral system that has strength and mechanisms of accountability is in the interests of small countries, as far as Sinn Féin and I are concerned. It is important that there is accountability for crimes and wrongful acts under international law, whether those are crimes arising from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the genocide committed by the Israeli state, the illegal occupation of south Lebanon, or the multiple illegal wars that successive US Administrations have engaged in. The objective of this convention is to hold the Russian Federation to account for damage, loss or injury caused by internationally recognised wrongful acts committed by it in or against Ukraine. This is something Sinn Féin fully supports. We are told that the commission will be an administrative body and will review, assess and decide on claims for compensation for damage, loss or injury caused by such acts, including the amounts of compensation, but will not be responsible for payment of compensation. Over four years ago Vladimir Putin and the Russian Federation engaged in an act of aggression and imperialist expansion against Ukraine and its people. We have since seen appalling atrocities at Bucha, Zaporizhzhia, Mariupol and other locations, attacks on civilian infrastructure, the direct targeting of civilians and the barbaric abduction of children. Sinn Féin and this House have been emphatic in our condemnation of this and the people of Ireland have responded commendably in supporting Ukrainian families and through contributions to various charitable causes. The past four years have seen the Ukrainian people suffer many hardships. The situation on the ground remains very severe and it is important to continue to support assistance for civilian, humanitarian and non-military purposes, especially the need that exists to bolster civilian infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on energy infrastructure. During the past winter we all saw and read terrible reports of Ukrainian energy workers collapsing from exhaustion as they worked in incredibly challenging circumstances to keep the Ukrainian energy system going in order to sustain the economy, to ensure healthcare continued to function and to serve the needs of the Ukrainian people. They must continue to be supported. The issue of accountability is crucially important. As I said, the Irish Government should represent the people’s desire that this accountability be exercised without fear or favour in relation to any particular country, but it is important in terms of the accountability piece that on an individual level justice is done. The Ukrainian ambassador has spoken with great passion and prioritised the issue of the abduction of children by the Russian Federation. Clearly, when we talk about accountability the only true accountability for those families is that their children are returned to them. The Government has been vocal on this but it needs to continue to make this a priority. We can only imagine the heartbreak those families are enduring due to these callous abductions. That is a crucial part of accountability. Accountability cannot simply be about financial compensation - it must involve doing right by the families who are most directly affected. I believe the European Union will soon look at the 21st package of sanctions. In the context of the 20th package, which included an increased focus on aluminium, it is important we get clarity from the Government on what it intends to do in relation to aluminium to ensure it is effective. Clearly, it will have to ensure compliance with the sanctions. I have raised in the past the fact that while there have been a wide range of sanctions against Russian individuals and companies, despite the centrality of atomic energy to the Russian economy and war effort the Russian atomic agency, Rosatom, has not been sanctioned. I want to encourage the Minister to raise this issue at a European level and encourage actions. The issue of sanctions against the atomic agency is a very clear priority for the Ukrainian Government, as articulated by President Zelenskyy in mid-February. Mr. Zelenskyy was rightly critical of the reluctance of European governments to act to tackle to this and sanction the agency and the people who control Rosatom. Tá tuilleadh arduithe ar phraghsanna leictreachais os ár gcomhair amach, ach tá Fianna Fáil agus Fine Gael fós sásta suí siar agus faic a dhéanamh. Tá cáinaisnéis éigeandála agus creidmheasanna fuinnimh ag teastáil láithreach. Clearly, sanctions are agreed at a European level but there is no reason Ireland should not show leadership on the issue and should not specifically push this issue that would have a very clear political and diplomatic impact. Ministers in the past have said they support it but they have been coy as to whether they will make that a specific priority and vocally call for that at a European level. In order to ensure meaningful peace talks that can deliver a just, sustainable peace that respects Ukraine, it is clear that more international pressure on Vladimir Putin, particularly from Europe and the United States, is required. Sanctions on this particular energy company would be a key form of sanction to increase pressure. I urge the Minister to make a clear statement that she will make this a priority and build momentum for sanctions in this area of atomic energy in the next package. We recognise and support the fact that Ukraine continues to require support politically and diplomatically. It is clear where the fault lies and who is the aggressor. It is Vladimir Putin and the Russian Federation. We should continue to offer political and diplomatic support and, where required, humanitarian and civilian support in practical ways that are consistent with our neutrality. Russia's military aggression cannot be rewarded. It is clear there needs to be accountability. The policy of the Irish Government in conflicts around the world has been to use means such as this to exert pressure on countries in flagrant breach of international law. We must again focus on these efforts and use our voice to increase diplomatic and political pressure, including sanctions. Clearly, mechanisms such as this are important to ensure appropriate compensation.

Sentiment score: 0.17