November 18 () –
The Irish Parliament’s Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense has called for the expulsion of officials and employees attached to the Russian Embassy in Dublin in response to the sanctions recently announced by Moscow against more than fifty Irish representatives.
“In light of the sanctions against Irish government ministers, members of the Oireachtas (Parliament) and other officials, the Joint Committee now calls for the expulsion of a number of officials and agents currently attached to the Russian Embassy in Ireland,” said the president. of the committee, Charlie Flanagan.
This request comes just two days after the Russian government announced on Wednesday the ban on the entry of more than 50 Irish citizens, including the Prime Minister, Micheál Martin, in response to “unilateral restrictive measures” and “anti-Russian “Approved by Dublin.
Along with Martin, the list also includes the Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland, Leo Varadkar; and to the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense, Justice and Finance, as well as senators and members of the Lower House of Parliament of the European country.
Following this announcement from Moscow, the Irish Foreign Minister, Simon Coveney, summoned the Russian ambassador in Dublin, Yuri Filatov, to show his rejection of Russia’s decision. Already this Friday, the Joint Committee has remarked in a statement its “unwavering support” for Ukraine.
“The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense reaffirms its abhorrence and condemnation of the Russian aggression in Ukraine and the illegal and unacceptable invasion of Russia,” Flanagan concluded in this regard.
