Russia imposes entry ban on 52 Irish officials, including PM

MOSCOW. Nov 16 (Interfax) - Russia has put 52 citizens of Ireland, including Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheal Martin, on its entry ban list, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"In response to the anti-Russian course of the Irish government, which unconditionally supports the unilateral restrictive measures imposed by the European Union on Russian citizens, aimed at attempting to isolate our country internationally, a decision has been made to put 52 key members of Ireland's leadership and policymakers on the Russian entry ban list," the ministry said on Wednesday.

The list of Irish citizens banned from entering Russia includes, in particular, Micheal Martin, his deputy (Tanaiste) Leo Varadkar, Chairperson of the lower house of the Irish parliament (Ceann Comhairle of Dail Eireann) Sean O Fearghail, Foreign and Defense Minister Simon Coveney, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, and a number of senators and members of the Dail (lower house).

"Acting on Brussels' dictation, Ireland is pursuing an aggressive anti-Russian propaganda campaign and has taken a course toward phasing out bilateral cooperation to the detriment of its own interests. An attack on the Russian embassy in Dublin in March was among the consequences of Russophobic hysteria fomented in Irish society," it said.

"As concerns other measures on our part, we will act looking to Dublin's position," the ministry said.