Minister of State Neale Richmond has accused Sinn Féin of “abandoning Ukraine” after its MEPs voted against a €90 billion loan to the country amid the ongoing Russian war.
The loan involved €30 billion of financial support and €60 billion for military equipment.
Sinn Féin MEPs Kathleen Funchion and Lynn Boylan voted against the measure, which was passed by the European Parliament, arguing that it undermined Ireland’s neutrality.
In heated Dáil exchanges, Donegal TD Pearse Doherty also argued the money should be spent elsewhere.
In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Neale Richmond said: “It wasn’t too long ago that I stood outside the Russian embassy with Sinn Féin representatives opposed to Russia’s brutal full scale invasion of Ukraine, the same party made a series of speeches in solidarity and demanded more action from the Government here, the Sinn Féin leader was happy to pose with the visiting Ukrainian President weeks ago and pledge her support.
“But all has changed. Over the past fortnight, Sinn Féin have abandoned Ukraine, abandoned European solidarity and shown their utter ignorance of the root causes of the challenges Irish people face due to the actions of Russia.”
Richmond also argued that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is directly linked to soaring energy prices.
“In one Dáil speech, Sinn Féin demand the Government intervene and provide energy credits in the face of rising bills and in the next they refuse to back the people of Ukraine. All the while blissfully unaware that the main reason for rising energy prices is the actions of Russia that have limited gas supplies, destroyed energy infrastructure and upended the European energy sector.
“In the Dáil and now in the European Parliament, Sinn Féin representatives have abandoned Ukraine, this move should be seen for the craven and illogical act that is.”