According to a leaked discussion paper reported in today's The Guardian, the one based in Manchester as opposed to the one based in Nenagh, the EU is close to a landmark agreement to procure arms for Ukraine. In the first instance, this will be done through the European Peace Facility, funding for which is being increased from €3.5 billion to €5.5 billion. An additional €1 billion is proposed specifically for the purchase of 155 mm artillery rounds. Twenty-five of the 27 EU member states have indicated an interest in, or support for, this. Is Ireland one of the 25 indicating support or one of the two that is not? If we are getting involved in it, how much Exchequer funding will be expended on buying armaments for the Ukrainian armed forces?

I will have to check with the Tánaiste before informing the Deputy of the exact up-to-date position. This is something that is in development and under discussion at the moment. We are already a part of the European Peace Facility. We already contribute to it and that money is used to help Ukraine in the war effort but we have said specifically that we will not allow our contribution to be used for offensive weapons. We are happy to contribute to the fund when it comes to medical equipment, armour, rations and defensive equipment but we believe it would be a breach of our policy of neutrality and non-alignment if that money were to be used for offensive weapons. Perhaps to some people that is Jesuitical or is an Irish solution to an Irish problem but that is the position we are maintaining and from which we will not depart.