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Mr. President.

Honourable Members, Minister, thank you for this important and timely debate.

Thank you, the Court of Auditors report has confirmed that the impact of our sanctions is clear.

Trade sanctions, together with anti circumvention measures, have significantly reduced the trade between the EU and Russia, in particular for the goods that Russia's military needs most to fight its illegal war,

and that the Commission has established extensive coordination tools to support the effective implementation of trade sanctions.

The Commission has announced the creation of a sanctions office.

It will allow us to step up on enforcement and coordination on implementation of sanctions,

also within the broader context of our full sanctions policy.

On the topic of the Russian immobilized assets, which many of you mentioned, the Ukraine loan is guaranteed by these immobilized assets,

so we are already using them productively in a legally sound manner,

and we continue to explore the possibility for their further use.

But this is not the time to stray from our course.

As Russia continues its aggression, we have no choice but to respond strongly.

By keeping our unwavering support to Ukraine, be it political, diplomatic, military, financial or humanitarian,

and by maintaining an increasing pressure on Russia, including through sanctions. We intend to do exactly that.

Thank you, the Foreign Affairs Council will adopt new sanctions on Russia next week, further curbing its sources of revenue.

The 22nd package with a broad set of measures is in the making and should be tabled shortly.

Let me also emphasize EU sanctions are not directed against Russian people.

They are carefully targeted, designed to be proportionate and temporary in nature,

yet they are a necessary tool to bring this atrocious war to an end. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner, before giving the floor to the Minister of State, please, colleagues,

try to protect the dignity of this House and be silent while the Minister is speaking, please.

Thank you, honorable Members and Commissioner, I have to say, as a former Member of this House, I fully understand the disturbance that's taking place at the moment, but, however,

we've had an important discussion here this morning, and I think once again it shows that,

despite sometimes difficult but very necessary debates,

the overall political direction remains clear.

That direction has been reaffirmed at every level.

In the State of the Union address, President von der Leyen has called for further pressure on Russia,

with particular focus on enforcing existing sanctions and closing loopholes.

The European Council has called for additional revenue.

And measures to efficiently cut Russia's energy revenues.

This Parliament has repeatedly called for stronger sanctions and tougher enforcement,

including this morning, which I am really pleased to hear.

On this central issue for the future of Ukraine and the EU,

our institutions are sending a very consistent message we will maintain pressure on Russia and stand firmly by Ukraine.

Just one question raised during the debate referred to the use of Russian frozen assets.

As you know, any decision on the usage of Russian frozen assets requires unanimity in the Council.

Currently, the EU collects windfall profits generated by these assets and channels them into military assistance,

budget support and the Ukraine loan cooperation mechanism,

so there is real benefit to Ukraine.

Colleagues, can I conclude by saying that you can be assured until the very end of our Presidency.

Ireland will stand ready with the Council to deliver further measures in the months ahead to support our Ukrainian colleagues.

Thank you. Thank you, Minister of State and this.