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Lauren Boland reports from the EU Parliament in Strasbourg
THE TWO IRISH MEPs who voted against an EU resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have defended their position, saying they voted based on their stances rather than “playing to a gallery”.
Clare Daly and Mick Wallace were two of 13 MEPs to cast an opposing vote in a motion on ‘Russian aggression against Ukraine’ this month.
637 MEPs voted in favour and 26 abstained.
The motion contained 48 different texts that were voted on.
The resolution outlined the EU’s condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but the two MEPs have said they couldn’t back the motion because it also expressed support for Nato and called for weapons to be sent to Ukraine.
Since the vote, the pair have faced criticism from constituents and others in Ireland, as well as fellow MEPs, for their position.
Speaking to reporters in Strasbourg today, Wallace said: “We don’t make decisions or do things based on what reaction we think we’re going to get from the public. We do what we think is right.”
“There were 46 votes in the resolution last week and people should go through and see what did we vote on. We condemned outright the invasion. We condemned the breach of international law by Russia 100%,” the MEP said.
We wouldn’t vote for the resolution because it was about beefing up Nato, stronger ties between the EU and Nato.
“We want Nato abolished. Nato is a war machine. It promotes the military industrial complex and it has nothing to offer the citizens of Europe.”
He said that “if people disagree with me, they disagree with me, but all I can do is my best”.
We’re probably not great at getting our message across all the time but we do try. We’ve a podcast every week, we use social media as well as we can, we’re not going to get nice articles written about us getting our message out in the mainstream media – they only talk about us when they’re giving out about us.
“When I go home, I actually find people like to engage with me and discuss these things and people don’t challenge me on stuff and say, ‘I don’t agree with you on this’.
“We do what we think we should do. We’re not playing to a gallery, we’re not looking for votes.”
The two MEPs say they are firmly anti-Nato and against military expansion, pushing for Ireland to retain its neutral status.
“[Ireland has] pretended to be neutral up to now, but we’re not. We’ve taken the side of US empire,” Wallace said.
He suggested that there “won’t be peace in the region until there’s an acceptance that Russia does have genuine security concerns about the idea of Ukraine going in Nato, the same as the Americans had in 1961 in Cuba”.
Similarly, Clare Daly asked “why hasn’t the Irish media” questioned other MEPs on their choice to vote in favour of a motion she said escalates militarism and would push a neutral country like Ireland in the direction of Nato.
“I’m not saying they didn’t have a right to vote, of course they did, but that would give you an entirely different narrative. Our position has been misrepresented in the media,” she said.
[People] think that piling in more arms and prolonging the war is a way of helping defenceless Ukrainians, is how they see it. In our experience and the experience of every war, piling in more weaponry just prolongs it.
“We have a dialogue with loads of constituents… some people have been incredibly abusive and won’t listen to any reason. Some people have done that and then, when we’ve explained our position, have come back and said, ‘Sorry, I only heard the headline, I didn’t actually know your position, that makes perfect sense’.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously objected to what he sees as attempts by Nato to expand the alliance’s influence in eastern Europe and insisted that Ukraine does not join the alliance.
The invasion has sparked debate about Ireland’s neutrality and its role in responding to international conflict.
Dr Andrew Cottey, a senior lecturer at the Department of Government and Politics in UCC, joined The Journal’s The Explainer podcast this week to discuss what Nato is and how it fits in to the world’s reaction to Russia’s invasion.
Meanwhile, officials at the European Parliament earlier confirmed they would investigate after Nazi stickers were placed on the offices of Daly and Wallace.
Speaking to reporters, Daly said her office was targeted on Tuesday.
“Our offices in the parliament and the offices of the 13 people who voted against it, were covered in Nazi stickers, and anti-Russian sorts of things on their doors. It’s been investigated, but these people had to go in to the parliament,” she said.
“They had to go out of their way to find the 13 offices.”
Wallace said: “To find out where the 13 actually lived in the building was a challenge in itself.
“We actually struggle getting around the place. They went to great effort.”
Contains reporting from Press Association.
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I sincerely hope that the opportunity to brighten these children’s lives will not be spurned.
A little goodwill and imagination on the state’s part is all that’s required.
@Brendan O’Brien: they have oil rich neighbours/’brothers’ surely to help them with all that…
@Veil: Why not Ireland? It would be a great experience for all concerned, Irish as well as Palestinians.
How insular would you like us to be?
@Veil: There is no GAA in those countries, this is been paid for by GAA people and not the state.
But you continue your Palestinian hatred.
Do you have any problems with the Billions the state pays for Ukrainians fleeing war ?
@Brendan O’Brien: if integration was occurring it would be wise decision, until then, I’m afraid I would rather be insular.
@Veil: It’s just a visit: what does ‘integration’ have to with it? Do you ‘integrate’ when you’re on holiday?
@Elliot Alderson: rules are their for a reason; for everyone, and not a select few, to follow…other countries do not bend and break rules for anyone or anything, why should Ireland be an outlier? No hatred, only logic.
@Brendan O’Brien: I most certainly do; I try partake in the countries language, learn about and engrossed myself in their culture.
@Veil: These kids will be playing hurling! That’s not Irish enough for you?
@Veil: They will surely not go back afterwards and leech here.
@Alex: these Palestinian groups trying to pull fast ones…they would sell their granny
@Alex: They would be entitled to apply for asylum. Pretty sure they would be legitimate . least they would be entering legally
@Val O’Connell: and bring their families
@Dr Albert S Meinheimer: exactly. Don’t be guilt tripped into anything Ireland, it is not ours to carry. Certain groups trying to pull fast ones.
@Veil: they are due to stay with Irish host families, play GAA, visit Croke Park. How much more integration do you expect in a two-week trip?
@JoeJoe Kilbride: Mother of wounded Gaza child pleads to reunite family in Ireland’ rte news.
Before we know, their families be joining, after the 2 weeks, that is..
@Veil: you’re a selfish dope
@Alex: what have you & your spawn ever done for this country except leach?
@Veil: great and one of them would be better than 100 of your type
@Brendan O’Brien: ursella said NO
Clubs up & down the country have been fundraising and gathering donations of the necessary equipment for this to go ahead. Many many people are invested to varying degrees with it. It seems like a very deliberate obfuscation to generate a particular outcome, not a great look!!!
@Mindful Muinteoir: NO BRAINER……let them in to have a wee taste of normality well away from the atrocities in their homeland
@Mindful Muinteoir: send the donations over, more beneficial if anything.
@Mary Linton: surely their rich neighbours could step in and help?
@Veil: & I’m sure they do their bit……this isn’t a competition—– wee waifs getting a week or two respite away from death & destruction—- what’s NOT to like.???….. no doubt the vast majority of Irish citizens will be welcoming for the poor kids
@Veil: I don’t mind the children and their parents or guardians coming over for a week or two as long as they all return home.
@Maire Hicks: that’s the thing Marie, will they…give an inch, take a mile…
@Veil: I know but that’s the chance we’re taking, hopefully it is just a holiday for these children and not some underhanded tactic that will play on people’s heart strings, I would personally be in agreement with alot of your comments. It’s nice to do the right thing in any situation but sometimes you need to be realistic would be my attitude in general.
@Maire Hicks: If 33 Palestinian children were granted asylum here how does that affect you or anyone else on this island? (I’ve omitted the mentors because you didn’t mention them, adults are a different argument)
@Maire Hicks: Jayzis you’re as bad as your man Veil except he doesn’t pretend to care
@Peeta Griffin: you think you care and don’t realise you’re only pretending. It makes you feel good. When you grow up you will understand that many decisions we make don’t make us feel good. They may even make us feel bad. Welcome to the big bad earth my alien friend.
@Peeta Griffin: he stirs the pot and she joins in as the voice of (bigoted) reason, two sides of the one coin
@Mindful Muinteoir: GAa are minted, look at money making from concerts aline, or selling put to allow Muslims walk and pray to their God on our hallowed ground. There should be zero need for fundraising
The organisers have not filled in documentation properly, funny only for the older children, also the host families have of yet have not done Garda vetting..which is major no no, regarding vulnerable children,not a great track record.
These children could so easily be trafficked here..
Rules or there for us all.
what a country they let thousands of unvetted males into the country god only knows their backgrounds yet they can not find away to let a group of children into the country on a holiday a badly needed holiday at that unbelievable.
@Damo Whelan: why is Ireland trying to be the saviour of the world? Surely their ‘brothers’/ neighbours can give them a chance in life?? Rich oil countries n all that…
@Damo Whelan: honestly cannot see how the actions of this government on this matter can be seen as anything other than a massive own goal. Please God these little tykes arrive here & enjoy the bit of wee respite.
@Veil: European countries seem hell bent on repeating the same mistakes of France, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands. These people are incompatible with our culture.
@Veil: Repeating you bs, this is a GAA club that raised the money.
@Damo Whelan: they can easily navigate with an explosive belt to destroy the “kuffars”.
@Johnny frankson: Funny that , their guilt trips over how they treated Jews of Europe for several hundred years (UK and Russia / USSR too) is why we have the mess that is Israel and Palestine and the blind support of Israel and toleration of their illegal land grabbing .
It is Europeans and Americans and their culture of imperialism and expansion and greed for oil in the middle east , is why that place is still a problem
Hope their lucks turns soon to get that break they very much deserve. Unlike the luck of those 8 children killed while queuing for supplements in central gaza this morning. IDF… the world’s proudest army? I wonder how they sleep. They (idf) must be nervous of a future court appearance in The Hague if a breakthrough in this ceasefire happens.
@j m m: There’s a reason why Israel lets no international journalists into Gaza and murders the Palestinian ones.
If they were going to ipas centres the government would have no problem , the question is are they being blocked by Ireland for israel
Fair play to the Dubs.
Are Zionists now in total control of Ireland too
@Kevin O Brien: no only logic thinking people
Once again, thanks to the Irish Immigration service for doing your job. Don’t be bullied into something that is not right.
@Veil: Wtf are you on about ? Your hatred of Palestinians is spewing over here all over this article. I suppose you’re a Zionist supporter.
@Veil: How can it not be right to brighten the lives of children?
You need to take a good look at yourself.
@Elliot Alderson: wow, rein in your bile there son, no need to attack me, I am entitled to my opinion as much as you are to yours. Do not put words in my mouth either.
@Veil: I’ve seen enough….. “I hear you’re a racist now Father” …. and muted.
@Veil: How do you know the Irish immigration services’ decision is not politicaly motivated or erroneous? After all the trip organisers and participants claim that they have supplied all necessary paperwork? Knowing Irish bureaucracy it is not unthinkable that they messed up.
@Elliot Alderson: educate yourself child.
@Brendan O’Brien: tell them about santa and the tooth fairy whilst they’re here. This is virtue signalling and feeling good about yourself gone overboard.
These kids will have to back to Gaza. Your warm cosy feeling will fade away and life will continue.
@offside again: They’re from the West Bank, not Gaza, you eejit. You can’t even be bothered to read about them.
I would like them to feel good for a while. How come that is impossible for you to understand? Why don’t you join the human race?
@Brendan O’Brien: my bad but whatever, my point stands.
@Veil: Loving the like ratio between your comment & the responses to it. Says it all really.
@Mindful Muinteoir: lest not forget the 3 innocent men who were slaughtered in Sligo, one whom luckily survived, because of their sexual preference, based on someone’s ideology and beliefs. Teach well Muinteoir.
Don’t be guilt tripped into anything Ireland, it is not ours to carry. Certain groups trying to pull fast ones.
‘Mother of wounded Gaza child pleads to reunite family in Ireland’ rte news.
And so it begins…
@Veil: Open door policy , for one and all..
@Veil: said it before, say it again; give an inch, take a mile.. good luck Ireland.
that’s the thing Johnny, they’ll all be bawling and ripping when their future generations of female relatives and other minority groups are under oppression. I’m thinking of the bigger picture, and the future, here…but maybe these errors need to be made for evolution…
Hope you’re not flaying em over British airspace?. Best have the F 35’s & Typhoons on rapid action alert
You’d wonder who the parents are. Sure we’re a great nation of eejits. I’m sure the majority of the kids came from good parents but what about the very minority others that didn’t!
Let the rich arab countries support Palestinian families .. immigration officials enforce the law ..stop being a soft touch
Em
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