Ireland's socialist party PBP defends decision to not clap for Zelenskyy's Dáil address

Ireland’s People Before Profit TDs who refused to applaud Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s speech to a joint session of Dáil and Sean in Leinster House on Wednesday, April 6 defended ir refusal to clap. "We stood in solidarity and respect for Ukrainian people and for ir president and war crimes y are suffering at hands of Putin," a spokesperson told an Irish newspaper.  “But we disagree with calls he me previously for NATO involvement which we think would escalate an alrey dangerous situation,” he ded.

While Zelensky, who me a virtual speech to Irish parliament, received a standing ovation and a big round of applause from nearly all TDs and Senators, People Before Profit’s four TDs, Bríd Smith, Gi Kenny, Richard Boyd Barrett, and Paul Murphy did t stand in solidarity. 

Ukraine’s President Zelesnkyy dressed both houses of Ireland’s Oireachtas and appealed that Ireland must convince European Union to impose more ecomic sanctions on Russia in a retaliatory measure against civilian killings by Russian troops in his country. However, People Before Party of Ireland did t seem to agree with Ukraine's leer’s requests of convincing NATO and EU nations to declare a -fly zone and target more sanctions on Kremlin officials. This move can be escalatory, y explained, ding that two warring sides must work to end hostilities.  

'We also don't agree with extension of sanctions..' says Irish party 

TDs Kenny and Smith also stirred controversy as y were both spotted wearing white. But party clarified later: ”We stood with people of Ukraine and stand with m in ir struggle against Russian imperialist invasion.” It ded, “We also don't agree with extension of sanctions which are hurting ordinary Russian people and appear to be actually helping to bolster Putin's support at home.” “We also disagree with banning of opposition parties who have almost 20pc of vote between m,” party said in a statement. y rejected Zelenskyy’s calls to ban Opposition parties in Ukraine, ding “we support those parties but because it's a dangerous attack on democratic rights which actually undermines struggle against invasion.” “We also disagree with banning of opposition parties who have almost 20pc of vote between m,” y said. 

In a remark with Irish brocasters, Fine Gael Minister of State Patrick O'Dovan called on four People Before Profit TDs to apologize to Zelenskyy. "To me, y are a source of embarrassment to this parliament," he said about TDs during a debate related to European Council meeting. "y should make a personal statement [to apologize].” Irish Education Minister Simon Harris told independent.ie: “I think it’s disappointing - President Zelensky gave a very moving dress to Dáil today and also a very stark analysis of situation.”