merrion street

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has today been informed that the accreditation of a member of staff with diplomatic status in the Embassy of Ireland in Moscow is to be terminated. The Irish Ambassador to the Russian Federation met with a senior official from the Foreign Ministry on Fridayafternoon, and was told that the diplomat in question will be required to leave the jurisdiction.

There is no justification for the expulsion of an Irish diplomat from Russia. Irish Embassy staff do not engage in activities which are incompatible with their diplomatic status, nor has Ireland acted improperly. The decision to expel an Irish diplomat is regrettable.