Irish MPs call for staff cuts in Russian embassy

The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence has called for the expulsion of officials and operatives attached to the Embassy of Russia in Ireland in the wake Russia’s recently announced sanctions on 52 Irish officials.

Report informs via foreign media that the Russian Ambassador has been summoned to the Department of Foreign Affairs by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney after Moscow banned 52 senior Government figures from entering Russia because of Ireland’s support for sanctions.

“In light of the reported sanctions on Irish Government ministers, Oireachtas members and other officials, the Joint Committee now calls for the expulsion from this jurisdiction of a number of officials and operatives currently attached to the embassy of Russia in Ireland. The staff complement of the Russian embassy in Ireland should align with the complement of staff assigned to the Irish embassy in Moscow," Chairperson Deputy Charlie Flanagan said.