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LAST UPDATE | 6 Apr 2022
PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT TDs did not clap after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the Dáil and Seanad this morning, in protest against sanctions.
Zelenskyy received a standing ovation after his speech earlier today.
PBP TDs stood up after the speech but Paul Murphy, Bríd Smith, Richard Boyd Barrett and Gino Kenny did not applaud.
Speaking to The Journal after the speech, Murphy said: “We stood for the people of Ukraine and stand with them in their struggle against the Russian imperialist invasion. We can’t applaud calls for more sanctions which are hurting ordinary Russians and only bolstering the Putin regime at home.
“It’s worrying that the Zelensky government has banned opposition parties with almost 20% of the vote in Ukraine. That’s not because we support those parties but because it’s a worrying attack on democratic rights which undermines the struggle against the invasion.”
A number of TDs wore the Ukrainian colours of blue and yellow, while others – including Smith and Kenny – wore white as a symbol of peace.
Speaking this evening on RTÉ’s Drivetime programme, Murphy said that he and his colleagues “stood in solidarity” with the people of Ukraine but that “it would have been disingenuous” to applaud for an extension of sanctions they disagreed with.
“The sanctions that have been imposed so far and the sanctions that are coming are not targeted sanctions, they are indiscriminate sanctions,” he said.
In his address, Zelenskyy asked Ireland to push other EU countries to impose more sanctions on Russia, cut it off from global markets and stem its income from oil.
He said there are still some political leaders in the world who do not believe that stopping Russia is more important than any financial loss to other countries from sanctions.
“I am sure your leadership can make a difference and change this,” he stated, via an interpreter.
“When we’re hearing new rhetoric about sanctions against Russia, I can’t tolerate any indecisiveness after everything we have gone through and everything Russia has done.
“We still have to convince, even some European countries, to abandon the Russian market,” he added.
Zelenskyy also told the House of the Oireachtas: “In the 42 days of all-out Russian war, at least 167 children were killed in Ukraine.
“We don’t know yet all the atrocities of Mariupol and victims in other areas of Ukraine where fighting is still going on.”
Directly referencing Ireland’s response to the invasion, Zelenskyy said: “Even though you are a neutral country, you have not remained neutral to the… mishaps Russia has brought to Ukraine.”
“I am grateful to you. To every citizen of Ireland, thank you for supporting sanctions against Russia.”
He also thanked Irish people for their humanitarian donations.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, the leaders of the main parties and a number of TDs spoke after Zelenskyy’s address.
In his response, Boyd Barrett said: “We must all join in condemning the barbaric invasion” and the war crimes which Vladimir Putin has “undoubtedly” committed. However, he added that “the US and the UK and some of their allies” have also committed war crimes.
He said the war in Ukraine should not be used as a justification for Ireland changing its stance on neutrality.
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So they refuse to applaud because of sanctions? What do they suggest the punishment should be? We are a small country with very little power over international events, sanctions are one thing we can do and if it does effect normal Russians, it may force some political pressure on Putin. At the minute, the vast majority of Russians are been feed propoganda and if they feel no effect then they will continue in their bubble of obliviousness
@Colm O’ Shea: yes colm that’s what the sanctions aim to do, to basically force the Russian people to overthrow the government but we’re into week 7, it’s not going to happen and vp doesn’t care a bit.
@TomTraubert: This is probably why it hasn’t happened. The Levada centre is and independent organisation. From Wikipedia – In 2022 an LSE (London School of Economics) blog said “The most reputable public opinion data available in Russia are from the Levada Center, a non-governmental research organisation conducting regular surveys since 1988.” – https://www.usnews.com/news/world-report/articles/2022-03-31/putins-support-strong-in-russia-amid-ukraine-war-poll
@Colm O’ Shea: if you are a follower of and believer in the teachings of Leon Trotsky, then our Trot TDs are simply being consistent. At least they don’t flip flop over Putin like the Shinners.
Well, at least we know who’s side these people are supporting…and it’s not Ukraine
I am surprised but not at the same time. I actually agree with Barrett and Co on some policies but I know from experience that non conformists, which is what they are, will ALWAYS non confirm with anything for the absolute sake of it. It’s an auto trigger they have. This is why they will never and praise be for that, never, set policy in Ireland. When they are hiding in the corner of the shelbourne sipping G&Ts I wonder will they realise how petty they are not giving a clap to a guy standing by his country in a way they will never do so themselves. Shame on you Barrett and PPP. Keep your rabbit hole circus act going.
I see the Russian embassy needs heating oil and running low on food also, I’m sure PBP can organise a whip around and a few 5 gallon drums of oil in a show of solidarity with the occupiers of rathgar rd.
The main thing I take from this is that because of the country we live in they are perfectly entitled to voice and demonstrate their views.
Clowns to the left jokers to the right.
Proper order, fair play to them!
Clowns
Ok…rude
have your say