Four senior Russian officials have been asked to leave Ireland because their activities have not been “in accordance with international standards of diplomatic behaviour”, the Government has confirmed.
It follows security advice received on Monday.
The Russian ambassador was summoned to a meeting at the Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said: “This afternoon, the Department of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian ambassador to Iveagh House to advise him that four senior officials have been asked to leave the state.
The Government continues to believe that diplomatic channels between Ireland and the Russian Federation should remain open
“This is because their activities have not been in accordance with international standards of diplomatic behaviour.
“This action is being taken under Article 9 of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
“The Government continues to believe that diplomatic channels between Ireland and the Russian Federation should remain open.
“This is in the interests of our citizens as well as to ensure that we can continue to have a diplomatic channel of communication between Ireland and the Russian Federation in the future.
“This channel of communication has been important in the context of conveying our strong views on the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine, which we regard as a serious breach of international law.”
Taoiseach Michael Martin said both himself and Mr Coveney had received a security briefing on Monday.
He told the Dail: “Under the 1961 Vienna Convention, four senior officials of the Russian Embassy have been asked to leave the state because their activities are not in accordance with international standards of diplomatic behaviour.
“I received security advice yesterday. I know the Minister for Foreign Affairs also received security advice.
“We met yesterday in relation to this with out national security team and under Article 9 of the 1961 Vienna Convention we have taken these actions.
“We nonetheless do believe that diplomatic channels between the Russian Federation and the state should stay open.
“In the interests of us conveying our abhorrence of the war, maintaining diplomatic channels is a principle but also to protect Irish citizens in Russia.”
We have sought to act in unison all along with our fellow European member states in the belief that that has the greatest impact
During leaders’ questions Mr Martin was urged by new Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik to consider expelling the Russian Ambassador to Ireland.
Mr Martin said: “We have sought to act in unison all along with our fellow European member states in the belief that that has the greatest impact.
“The economic sanctions have been severe, have been unprecedented.
“The fact that that happened with the United States, with the European Union and others was powerful.
“On the diplomatic side we will continue to work with others to again illustrate the country’s dissatisfaction, outrage at the war.”
Article 9 of the Vienna Convention says that a state may at any time and without having to explain its decision, notify a sending state that any member of the diplomatic staff of the mission is “persona non grata or that any other member of the staff of the mission is not acceptable”.
