Political pressure for the Government to expel the Russian Ambassador to Ireland has increased significantly, as 35 Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators have demanded he leave.
Within Fine Gael there are also demands for the ambassador to go.
The chairman of the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee Charlie Flanagan, himself a former Minister for Foreign Affairs, has called for ambassador Yury Filatov to quit Ireland.
In a statement to RTÉ News, Mr Flanagan said he called on the ambassador "to leave our country."
Mr Flanagan raised issues with the statements made by the ambassador to the Foreign Affairs Committee two weeks ago.
The Fianna Fáil politicians have published a petition. which said: "in response to the unlawful invasion of Ukraine by President Putin and to show Ireland's support for Ukraine’s government and people we...call on the Irish Government to expel the Russian ambassador Yury Anatoliyevich Filatov."
Among the signatories are TDs Jim O'Callaghan, Barry Cowen, Sean Haughey, John McGuinness, Niamh Smyth, MEP Billy Kelleher and Senator Timmy Dooley.
However, it is understood that the senior Cabinet figures are reluctant to expel the ambassador for now.
They believe any move against the embassy could lead to the closure of the Irish embassy in Moscow in retaliation, which in turn, could hinder communications about the worsening humanitarian situation.
In a statement last night. Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said: "Following consultations with my EU Foreign Minister Colleagues today, we have decided as a bloc not to expel Russian ambassadors. This and other possible diplomatic measures remain on the table.
FF TDs and Senators call on Government to expel Russian ambassador pic.twitter.com/vEudtHexU8
— Mícheál Lehane (@MichealLehane) February 26, 2022
"As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have a responsibility to consider the potential impact of decisions I take on our ability to assist Irish citizens in Russia and Ukraine and we are maintaining a clear line of communication for now."
Read more: Third day of Irish protests against Russian invasion
Last night, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told RTÉ's Drivetime that it would be appropriate for Russia to reduce is diplomatic presence in Ireland.
He said any action against the ambassador would have to be co-ordinated at EU level.
Additional reporting: Mícheál Lehane
