Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 May 2018
81. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which his response to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 24 April 2018, stating that the OPCW investigation had no role in attributing the origin of or ascertaining blame for the poisoning in Salisbury, had a bearing on the State's decision to expel a Russian diplomat as stated in his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 17 April 2018. [19208/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPCW was requested by the UK to independently verify the toxic chemical used in the Salisbury attack. The OPCW was not investigating the circumstances of the poisoning or responsibility for it.
Following on from extensive briefings by the United Kingdom at senior official level and to EU Foreign Ministers, UK Prime Minister Theresa May addressed the European Council on 22 March 2018. She made a compelling case in support of her government’s assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian Federation is responsible for the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, with a military-grade nerve agent, and that there is no plausible alternative explanation. Having listened to the Prime Minister, and to the views of other Member States in a position to support her account, EU leaders unanimously agreed with the United Kingdom Government’s assessment. They affirmed that all EU Member States stand in unqualified solidarity with the United Kingdom in the face of this grave challenge to our shared security.
In light of these European Council Conclusions, I made the decision to terminate the accreditation of a diplomatic staff member of the Russian Embassy. This decision was based on an assessment of all the relevant political and security factors, and in line with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. As indicated above, the role of the OPCW, while significant, was not decisive in that overall decision. I am satisfied that the decision to expel a Russian diplomat was the most appropriate course of action in the circumstances.
