Fine Gael TDs join in push for expulsion of Russian ambassador

Members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party are preparing a petition demanding that the Russian ambassador be expelled.

A draft note has been circulated on Sunday afternoon to TDs and Senators, with the names of 13 TDs attached.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee earlier said that “nothing is off the table” when it came to expulsions, but cautioned that closure of the embassy in Russia could risk a “complete breakdown” in diplomatic relations.

Some 40 members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party published a similar petition in recent days. The Taoiseach today said that “nothing is ruled out” in terms of the possible expulsion of the Russian ambassador or other diplomats, saying it would be better if such a measure was taken collectively by the EU.

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But earlier today, speaking to the Sunday Independent, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney expressed serious reservations about a potential expulsion.

“It is important we keep lines of communication open here for the sake of Irish citizens in the days and weeks ahead, who may well be caught up in very difficult circumstances,” he said.

“I need a line of communication, not only to let Russia know how angry we are with the actions they’re taking, but also to do my job as Foreign Minister to be able to protect and look after and assist Irish citizens, because who knows, Russia may be in control of Ukraine at some point in the weeks ahead.”

The copy of the petition, seen by The Irish Times, states that “we the undersigned Fine Gael TDs call for the immediate expulsion of Russian Ambassador Yury Filatov and all Russian embassy personnel in Ireland and call for the closure of the Russian embassy in Dublin”.

It is signed firstly by Kerry TD Brendan Griffin, the Fine Gael whip and deputy Government whip. Other names include: Jennifer Carroll-MacNeill; Neale Richmond; Alan Dillon; Alan Farrell; Joe McHugh; Ciarán Cannon; Charlie Flanagan; Emer Higgins, Michael Ring; John Paul Phelan; Richard Bruton and Joe Carey.