Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2023
135. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the sanctions that currently apply to the government of Belarus or which have been applied to individual Belarusian citizens; the actions taken by the Government to enforce such sanctions in Ireland; if further sanctions are under active consideration at an EU level; the position of the Government on such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22458/23]
View answerThe EU condemns Belarus' involvement in Russia's unprovoked and unjustified full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. In response to the invasion, since late February, the EU has adopted a wide range of sanctions targeting both Russia and Belarus.
The measures targeting Belarus build on restrictive measures first introduced by the EU following the presidential elections in Belarus in August 2020 and the crackdown on peaceful protesters, democratic opposition and journalists that followed. The current measures in large part mirror the restrictions introduced against Russia. Restrictions have been placed on trade between the EU and Belarus, in particular on goods used for the production of tobacco, hydrocarbons, and a range of materials like potash, wood, cement, iron, steel and rubber, which generate significant revenue for the Belarusian regime.
In addition, restrictions have been imposed on exports to Belarus of dual-use goods and technology that could contribute to Belarus’ military, technological and security development. Belarusian road transport operators have been banned from transporting goods by road within the EU. A range of measures have been introduced targeting the Belarusian financial sector. Several Belarusian banks have been removed from the SWIFT financial messaging system and transactions with the Central Bank of Belarus are prohibited. Sanctions also include asset freezes and travel bans targeting Belarusian military personnel, state officials, members of the judiciary, and businesspeople.
Limits have been placed on financial inflows from Belarus to the EU, and the provision of euro banknotes to Belarus is also now prohibited, while a ban has been placed on the listing and provision of services in relation to shares of Belarusian State-owned entities in EU trading venues.
On 24 February 2023, the European Council decided to extend for a further year the restrictive measures linked to the ongoing involvement of Belarus in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the human rights situation in the country.
EU sanctions are legally binding on all natural and legal persons in Ireland and the EU. EU Council Regulations have direct effect, and must therefore be complied with in the same way as domestic Irish legislation. A Cross-Departmental International Sanctions Committee (CDISC), chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs monitors, reviews, and coordinates the implementation, administration and exchange of information on international sanctions regimes in Ireland.
Ireland has fully supported and implemented the sanctions adopted in response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, including the sanctions imposed on Belarus for its role in supporting Russia in this conflict.
The EU is considering adopting further sanctions against the Lukashenko regime in response to internal repression in Belarus and the regime’s support for the war against Ukraine. Ireland is actively involved in these discussions and supports coordinated EU sanctions, and other measures including action at the UN, to hold Belarus accountable for its violations of human rights and the rule of law, and its complicity in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
