Nine Russian diplomats and staff members booted out of Ireland since beginning of Ukraine war
NINE Russian diplomats and staff members have been booted out of Ireland since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
There are currently 21 officers at the Russian Embassy in Dublin.
Stats from the Department of Foreign Affairs reveal it is made up of nine diplomats and 12 administrative and technical staff. Prior to the invasion of Ukraine, there were 30.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin, responding to a parliamentary question, said there are no plans to boot Russian ambassador Yury Filatov out, but that the Government is “keeping the size of embassy personnel under review”.
Mr Martin explained: “The Government’s view is that the diplomatic channels between Ireland and the Russian Federation should remain open.
“This is in the interests of our own citizens, both in Russia itself and in the five central Asian republics to which Ireland is accredited via our Embassy in Moscow.
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“It also allows us to continue to formally convey the Government’s strong objection to the illegal and unwarranted war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine.”
In March 2022, four senior officials from the Russian Embassy in Dublin were expelled after their activities were deemed to be “not in accordance with the standards of diplomatic behaviour”.
Russia retaliated by removing two Irish diplomats from Moscow.
Mr Martin also said Ireland has voiced its displeasure at countries supporting Russian aggression.
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He revealed: “We have made this position clear at multilateral level, as well as bilaterally, with China, India and South Africa.”
It comes as five hotels will stop housing Ukrainians and asylum seekers as they plan to return to the tourist trade.
The hotels’ decision to leave the State-run housing system means 1,600 Ukrainians and international protection applicants will have to be moved by the end of the month.
Equality Minister Roderic O’Gorman said the State’s ability to house refugees will come under “significant pressure” as the hotels return to the tourist trade for the summer season.
REFUGEE HOUSING
The Defence Forces have been asked to create housing camps at both Kildbride and Mullingar barracks in order to house refugees in the difficult weeks ahead.
A number of rapid-build housing units that were ordered last year are also due to come on stream at the beginning of May, which will ease the pressure.
Speaking to The Irish Sun, Minister O’Gorman said 15 sites have been earmarked for modular housing for 2,800 people from Ukraine.
He said: “There’s 1,600 people accommodated in those private hotels at the moment and they will be leaving the system between the end of March and the end of April.
“In terms of modular accommodation, it is a brand new housing approach being adopted by the Government.
“They are under construction at five sites and, certainly in the site in Cork, some of the units are in place at the moment.
"So I think towards the end of April early May we will see the first of those sites being officially opened.”