Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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48. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to claims that up to 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly moved to Russian detention camps since the Russian invasion of their country in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27591/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has been unequivocal that the deportation or forcible transfer of children may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity.

The large-scale deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and Belarus is part of a coordinated effort to erase Ukrainian identity. These children face Russian “re-education,” vilification of their nationality, forced adoption, and coercion to accept Russian citizenship.

At the Summit on Peace in Ukraine on 15-16 June, the Taoiseach joined fellow leaders in calling for the return of these children as part of any future peace settlement for Ukraine.

In February, Ireland joined the ‘International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.’ We are engaging in discussions on the future work of the Coalition, and how it can support efforts to ensure the return of Ukrainian children to their families and communities.

The European Council has condemned in the strongest terms Russia’s unlawful deportation and transfer to Russia and to Belarus of Ukrainian children. Ireland has consistently supported strong sanctions against Russia in response to its aggression in Ukraine, including a range of measures targeting individuals and entities involved in the forced transfer, deportation, and military indoctrination of Ukrainian children.

We note that such alleged crimes as they concern Ukraine are the subject of arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court. Ireland has raised this issue in our statements in multilateral forums in our national capacity and as part of the European Union. We co-sponsored a resolution of Human Rights Council establishing a commission of inquiry to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights, violations of international humanitarian law in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Ireland will continue to engage with our partners to insist that Russia and Belarus immediately ensure the safe return of all children unlawfully deported in the course of this brutal invasion.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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49. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any engagement with Brazil, India, or South Africa over their failure to sign up to a joint communique issued at the end of a Ukraine peace conference in which more than 80 countries and international organisations endorsed Ukrainian territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s invasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27270/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Summit on Peace in Ukraine, which took place in Switzerland on 15-16 June, was an important first step toward building support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The Taoiseach represented Ireland, delivering the national statement, and participating in a working group on the return of deported Ukrainian children.

I welcome that 101 delegations from all continents attended the Summit, and that the Joint Communiqué re-affirmed that the UN Charter must be at the core of any future peace process.

It is positive that participants identified practical next steps on a number of key elements of the Peace Plan – food security, nuclear safety, and the return of civilians, including Ukrainian children.

It is clear that Russia’s invasion has consequences globally. Ireland and the EU were actively engaged on outreach ahead of the Summit to encourage high level participation and engagement by third countries. On 4th June, I held a productive call with Foreign Minister Pandor of South Africa, where we discussed the Summit along with a number of other issues. I also held a number of meetings with Middle East partners in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 26-27 May at which I raised the issue.

Unfortunately, in the lead up to the Summit, we saw statements on the settlement of the war that did not reflect the principles of the UN Charter and international law. We have been clear that any peace proposal must be based on the UN Charter and its key principles, including respect for sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

In our upcoming bilateral discussions with global partners, Ireland will continue to raise this issue in order to build consensus around the key principles that should underpin a future peace.

We will continue to make the case that, as they defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their own country, Ukrainians are also defending fundamental and universal freedoms, including the right to live in peace and security.