Deputy Niamh Smyth and Senators Robbie Gallagher and Diarmuid Wilson in Cavan/Monaghan constituency have become three of 52 public representatives that have been sanctioned by Russia and banned from entering the country.
The Kremlin said on Wednesday that 52 "key representatives" from Ireland had been placed on a sanction list for expressing what it claimed was Russophobic sentiment. Speaking to Northern Sound, Deputy Smyth said she is viewing her sanction as a "badge of honour".
She said that given the country's human rights record as a result of invading Ukraine, she has no intention of travelling to Russia anyway. Deputy Smyth added that the Russian Ambassador to Ireland and his staff need to be removed from the country regardless of the need to keep diplomatic channels open.
"I've always said that the Russian Ambassador and his staff should be sent out of Ireland and sent back to Russia. I do appreciate what the Taoiseach has said with regard to the importance of diplomacy and keeping diplomatic avenues open.
But I think we have no idea what is going on in that embassy with the Russian Ambassador and his staff. I think a clear signal needs to be sent to the ambassador and to Russia that they are not welcome in Ireland as long as they continue to pursue brutality on the Ukrainians.
