A local TD has been included on a list of Irish politicians banned from entering Russia due to their support of sanctions in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.
Longford/Westmeath Fianna Fail TD Joe Flaherty is among a list of 52 deputies and Senators who have now been put on the country's 'Stop list' due to what the Russian government describes as their involvement in anti Russian propaganda.
The move was made this week with the list including the Taoiseach, Tanáiste, Ceann Comhairle and Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as 48 other Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour representatives.
Deputy Flaherty is the only local TD or Senator to feature in the list, with the Longford man describing Ukraine as the 'victim of a barbaric act and a barbaric dictator who has brought wanton and untold carnage on that country' in the Dail in March.
Meanwhile the Taoiseach says his focus is on helping Ukraine - and not on Russia's attitude to the Irish Government:
I think its very very important that we understand whats afoot by the Russian Government and not being deflected by it.
We need to maintain our focus and keep international pressure on Russia to end this war.
We need to maintain European Solidarity and unity of purpose with the UK, the US and other like minded democracies.
