Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I can understand the sentiment behind the call for closing the Russian Embassy here and the expulsion of the Russian ambassador. I can understand this anger and frustration when we see images daily of civilians and infrastructure being targeted and homes, apartment complexes, shopping centres and hospitals having been targeted and hit with missiles, drones etc.

I understand that sentiment, but my job is to be a Minister for Foreign Affairs who tries to think ahead and tries to ensure that we have diplomatic channels open, if and when they may be useful in the future.

We have at least 200 people living in Russia. There are probably more, but 200 registered with our embassy there. The embassy in Moscow is also responsible for a number of other countries bordering Russia. Like virtually every other country in the world, maintaining diplomatic channels while at the same time being clear and critical of the role that Russia is playing in this war, the illegality of it and the brutality of it, is the appropriate way to continue our efforts.

One cannot call for Ireland to be ready to make a diplomatic intervention and at the same time shut off diplomatic channels of communication. The two do not go together. Having said that, I understand the frustrations and the sentiment behind that ask.

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