Pressure is mounting on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to expel the Russian ambassador to Ireland because the Irish people want him out of the country, the Dáil has heard.
Both Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and Labour leader Alan Kelly have called once again on the Taoiseach to expel Yury Filatov.
The Taoiseach has insisted it is important to keep the channels of communication open through the ambassador to assist Irish citizens living in Russia.
However, both Mr Kelly and Ms McDonald have rejected the Government’s defence.
The Taoiseach said the expulsion “would not be in the best interest of Irish citizens.”
Mr Kelly said: “We’re in unprecedented times though.
“There comes a point when there is killing of civilians, where children are being murdered.
“We’ve always shown leadership in this country and the Russian ambassador is a liar.
“He lied to the Irish people on multiple occasions.
“There is no way on this earth that the Russian ambassador should stay in Ireland.
“What’s the point in having diplomatic channels with somebody who lies?
“You can’t trust him.
“If he said nothing it would have been better.”
Mr Kelly also called on Mr Martin to withdraw our ambassador to Russia because he believes “we have to do that and expel the Russian ambassador.”
Mr Kelly also said “we should ask our Irish citizens to leave Russia also.”
He said: “We need to get rid of him.
“I accept what you’re saying and it’s a valid argument, however, I don’t agree with you.
“I think the Irish people want us to leave, they don’t want this man or his colleagues in this country.”
In response Mr Martin said Putin’s attack on the Ukrainian people has been “appalling and a barbaric attack.”
He said: “I hold very little time for the Russian ambassador’s performance and presentations to date and what he has articulated on television.
“I understand fully the anger that people have towards Russia, the leadership and the Russian ambassador.
“My primary concern is with Irish citizens and vulnerable Irish citizens.
“You cut off diplomatic relations, you cut them off - that’s something at European level, along with all the other measures that have been taken and have been discussed.
“But far greater things have already been decided on, bigger impacts have been taken by the European Union.
“I don’t accept the basic premise that’s being articulated here this morning that Europe should split in different directions, it should stay united in response.”
However, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said Ireland should lead by example and expel the Russian ambassador.
She said this is not “breaking ranks” with the European Union.
Ms McDonald said there are other ways of communicating with Irish citizens in Russia.
She added: “It is essential as shells rain down on Kyiv, as people flee for their lives that we demonstrate in every way to the Russian Federation that Ireland means business.”
