Russian sanctions and embassy
Deputy Richmond said Russia had sanctioned the Taoiseach and others and asked whether the Russian Embassy should be shut down and the ambassador expelled. The Taoiseach said he would need to be briefed on the sanctions, described them as part of a propaganda war, and stressed that diplomacy must remain open.
In the last couple of hours, we have seen that the Russian Federation has taken the decision to sanction the Taoiseach, the Ceann Comhairle and a number of Cabinet Ministers and Members of this House and the Seanad in a disgraceful statement that ends with a line stating that, in relation to further action, the Russian Government will be guided by its embassy in Dublin. This is a very disappointing occurrence and a further act from a terrorist regime raining misery on our continent. Is it not finally time to shut down the Russian Embassy in my constituency, expel the ambassador and cut off the constant channel of misinformation, disinformation and aggression from these so-called diplomats?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for alerting me to the news that I am sanctioned. It is a new development. I do not think I have ever been sanctioned before. I will have to be updated on that and see what the implications of it are. It is part of a broader propaganda war being waged by Russia. As I said in relation to Deputy Danny Healy-Rae's comments on the challenges around accommodation of Ukrainians, we all have to stand together across Europe on this. Diplomatic channels are the last resort, always. Diplomacy matters, no matter how unpalatable it can be. Cool heads are always required in situations like this. We will see what has been said.