Taoiseach condemns ‘unacceptable behaviour’ as Irish officials banned by Russia

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the way the banned list was announced was ‘classic Russian propaganda’.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin (Niall Carson/PA) (PA Wire)

Ireland’s Premier Micheal Martin has condemned as unacceptable behaviour the emergence of a list of Irish officials who are banned by Russia.

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that 52 “key representatives” from Ireland had been placed on a sanction list for expressing what it claimed was Russophobic sentiment.

Six senior politicians were named, including Taoiseach Mr Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney.

A meeting was held between a senior government official and the Russian ambassador on Thursday afternoon; Mr Coveney is currently in Washington to meet with officials about issues such as Ukraine and the Northern Ireland Protocol.

In a statement after the meeting, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it was given a copy of the list of 52 citizens subject to the travel ban, adding it will inform the individuals concerned but will not be publishing the list.

It's unacceptable behaviour, that message has been conveyed today

Taoiseach Micheal Martin

Speaking at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena in Dublin, the Taoiseach confirmed that there had been a meeting between the deputy secretary general of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Russian ambassador Yury Filatov.

“The message was conveyed to him that this behaviour by Russia is absolutely unacceptable and not the norm in a diplomatic situation to be really essentially engaging in propaganda, a form of hybrid warfare,” Mr Martin said.

“So it’s unacceptable behaviour, that message has been conveyed today.”

When asked if he knew who was on the full list, Mr Martin said it was an example of “classic Russian propaganda, disinformation”.

“But the key point is the nature of the action by the Russian Federation in sanctioning the Taoiseach of Ireland, and the Tanaiste and other ministers, it’s classic misinformation,” he said.

“I think it’s designed to try to undermine Ireland’s bona fides and the stance we’ve taken in relation to the war, the stance we’ve taken at European Union level, at the United Nations – where we haven’t pulled our punches in relation to the illegality and the immorality of this war – and that’s not to Russia’s liking.”

The statement from the DFA said the Government’s firm objection to the unwarranted and unjustified travel ban imposed on Irish citizens was conveyed to the Russian ambassador.

“Ireland’s position in respect of Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine was reiterated,” the statement continued.

“Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its right to defend itself against this attack under Article 51 of the UN Charter, was also reiterated.

“The minister is consulting with his senior officials this evening and will be bringing further details to the party leaders in government in due course.”

On the announcement that toll charges across nine motorways would increase from January to the maximum rate, Mr Martin said the government has “some concerns with the timing of this, given we’re in the midst of an energy crisis, people have a lot of pressure on in respect of cost-of-living issues”.

Mr Varadkar, also speaking from the indoor arena, suggested that “just because the maximum toll is set at a certain rate” does not mean it has to be raised to that maximum.

The Tanaiste also confirmed that he had asked minister for social protection Heather Humphreys to fill in as minister for justice when Helen McEntee goes on maternity leave next Friday.

He said this was done after speaking to his coalition party colleagues; on Wednesday Mr Varadkar said he had someone in mind for the role, but had not yet consulted with the Taoiseach or minister Eamon Ryan.

“It’s quite a short period. It’s just between the end of November and December 17. She’s done it before, knows the territory and did it very well, but it doesn’t prejudice any decisions that might be made on December 17,” he said on the expected Cabinet reshuffle.