I am sure the Taoiseach will join me in saying that deaths following the decision of the Ukrainian Government to crush peaceful opposition protests brutally are an outrage that all democratic countries should condemn and oppose resolutely. Will the Taoiseach, and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in particular, support immediately the move by a number of EU governments to prepare sanctions targeted against those responsible for rejecting negotiations and unleashing this state-led violence? Could the Taoiseach provide Government time for a debate on the Ukrainian circumstances and the range of sanctions that can be deployed, particularly given our membership of the European Union? A very strong voice should emanate from this Parliament on what is now occurring in Ukraine, including the unacceptable number of deaths and injuries being visited upon the protesters. As the Taoiseach knows, these people have long articulated their desire to have closer relationships with and be embraced by the European Union and the democratic values it espouses.

This is a very serious matter. The European Council was very favourably disposed towards doing business with Ukraine, and it has discussed this on a number of occasions. Clearly, the Ukrainian authorities made a different decision in respect of their arrangements with Russia. The people are very clear about their aspiration to have much closer contact with the European Union. It is a matter in respect of which we can all share in expressing unreserved condemnation. If it is not possible to have a full debate in the House, perhaps the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade might meet to discuss the matter with the Tánaiste and decide on the best way to have an opportunity to reflect on this.