LATEST: Kildare politicians among people banned from visiting Russia

A list of politicians banned by Russia include Kildare public representatives Senator Fiona O'Loughlin and Dáil deputy James Lawless. 

The Taoiseach, Tanaiste, the Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil Sean O Ferghail, and over 50  government officials are on the sanction list announced in recent days. 

Senator O'Loughlin said: "I hadn’t been planning on visiting Russia any time soon- who would? now no choice."

The politician said she was contacted by the Department of Foreign Affairs to inform her that she was on the list.

Senator O'Loughlin said she believes the ban is mainly due to her work in the Council of Europe - the  international organisation founded in the wake of World War II to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe.

The Russian Ambassador to Ireland Yuri Filatov was summoned to the Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday to be told that this behaviour by Russia was absolutely unacceptable.

At the meeting, senior Irish officials stressed their firm objection to what they said is the "unwarranted and unjustified" travel ban imposed on Irish citizens.

Ireland's position in respect of Russia's illegal aggression against Ukraine was also reiterated to the ambassador.

Ireland's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its right to defend itself against this attack under Article 51 of the UN Charter was also reiterated, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

The Department has received a copy of the list of 52 citizens banned from traveling to Russia. Those who are on the list will be notified but the list will not be published.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, as well as a number of other key officials and politicians, are among those to have been sanctioned.

The Russian foreign ministry said the measures against the 52 figures were taken following Ireland's support of EU sanctions against Russia.