Verona Murphy attends conference alongside sanctioned Russian politician
Verona Murphy
attended a Swiss conference earlier this week alongside a sanctioned Russian politician.
The conference, which was held in Geneva, brought together women speakers and presidents of parliaments around the world, including Ms Murphy.
Programme materials show the 15th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament was also addressed by Valentina Matviyenko, speaker of the council of the federation of the Russian federal assembly.
Ms Matviyenko, who has been described as an ally of Russian president
Vladimir Putin
, was first elected to this office in 2011 and again in 2014, 2019 and 2024, according to Russian government websites.
READ MORE
The Times newspaper reported on Tuesday that she has been described as 'the most powerful woman in Russia'.
[
Opinion: We must be honest about who Vladimir Putin is. His goal is not peace, but empire
Opens in new window
]
In a statement on Monday, the Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs said Ms Matviyenko's attendance at the conference 'is disgraceful and should never have happened'.
Publicly available records of individuals sanctioned arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine show Ms Matviyenko is subject to sanctions in the United States and the UK. Her name also appears on a French registry of asset freezing measures.
The gathering attended by Mr Murphy and Ms Matviyenko was organised as part of the sixth world conference of speakers of parliament, organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Its website says it was organised in 'close collaboration with the United Nations'.
In response to questions, a spokeswoman for the Houses of the Oireachtas said the Ceann Comhairle was invited to attend the summit of women speakers, which 'focuses on the advancement of women in politics in the context of the geo-political challenges that women face'.
The statement did not directly address whether the Russian speakers' presence at the event was known to the Irish side before Ms Murphy travelled.
'Ireland is a longstanding and active member of the interparliamentary union and regularly sends all-party delegations to attend its meetings and conferences.'
The spokeswoman added: 'The summit is for women speakers only and the host nation, Switzerland, are obliged under the rules to facilitate attendance by all members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union which operates on the same basis as the United Nations'
'As the first female speaker of
Dáil Éireann
, the Ceann Comhairle was proud that Dáil Éireann could finally be represented at and available to contribute to the Summit of Women Speakers. It should also be noted that in its final declaration the women speakers voiced their solidarity with all women and girls living in conflict zones and raised concerns about the disproportionate risks they face during wars.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, August 1st: On asylum, Spotify and the arms trade, and tariffs
Sir, – In Michael McDowell's article, ' Whatever about his tariffs, Trump's 'helpful advice' to the EU is on the money, ' July 30th, the Senator refers to a 'racket' involving people seeking asylum who are, in his view, simply migrants. The data does not support this claim. So far this year, 40 per cent of asylum applications have been successful. What about the other 60 per cent? Some applicants may not meet the strict legal definition of a refugee; others may lack the documentation to substantiate their claim. That does not mean they applied in bad faith or without genuine belief in their need for protection. The Senator also refers to a 'racket' of spending on asylum accommodation. One-off, dead-end spending on substandard accommodation benefits no one – least of all the people living in it. However, responsibility for this lies with successive governments' failure to invest in State-owned accommodation. The Senator himself served as minister for justice for five years and it's hard to recall significant progress on this issue during his tenure. READ MORE He then repeats the mistake made by Minister for Justice Jim O' Callaghan several weeks ago on the forthcoming decision of the Court of Justice of the EU. It is troubling that both have publicly commented on the case but appear to have not understood the Advocate General's opinion or its legal significance. The court is not poised to order the Irish State to compensate homeless asylum seekers imminently. The issue before the court is whether 'force majeure' is a valid defence to a damages claim for breach of an EU obligation that stems from the fundamental right to human dignity under Article 1 of the Charter. An important but relatively technical question of EU law. The Senator's only solution on this issue is for asylum policy to go back to member states. This would result in chaos and a race to the bottom with a domino effect caused by member states rushing to have little or no asylum policies and those that do shouldering the burden. As for the Senator's comments that there is a 'veritable domestic Irish legal industry involved in securing EU-guaranteed Irish residence for asylum seekers and their family dependants', this is low blow against hard-working barristers and solicitors, many of them at the beginning of their careers, often working for a pittance, who are only advocating for the implementation of the law that the Irish government voluntarily subscribed to. His remarks, suggesting that this work solely focussed on profit, also seem to be inconsistent with the Bar Council's code of conduct that barristers should not engage in conduct which may bring the barristers' profession into disrepute or which may injure the dignity and high standing of the profession. – Yours, etc. NICK HENDERSON, CEO, Irish Refugee Council, Dublin. Sir, – Once again, Michael McDowell recycles the arguments, language, and ideas of the far right on migration. Mr McDowell refers to asylum rights as a 'disastrous inclusion' in the EU Charter, calls asylum seeking an 'international racket', and urges Ireland to 'get real'. At the same time, he argues that it's the labelling of his rhetoric as far right that is dangerous. What's dangerous is the drift towards the Trump world view, someone Mr McDowell has been sharply critical of in the past, yet now quotes approvingly on migration. It is deeply disappointing to see a former minister for justice endorsing 'helpful advice' from Donald Trump, whose legacy includes caging children at the US border, separating families, and systematically undermining asylum protections. To suggest that the EU should take cues from such a record is shocking. Despite the fact that international protection applicants make up only a small share of inward migration, there is no acknowledgment of this, or of the essential contribution migrants make to Irish society. Mr McDowell frames his discussions on migration around the challenges of the international protection system. It is fortunate for the body politic that Mr McDowell has ruled out a presidential bid. His views on migration would likely have made him the candidate of choice for Ireland's small but vocal far right, especially if one of their Trump-lite or martial arts hopefuls fails to secure a nomination. – Yours, etc, SÉAMUS WHITE, Dublin 7. Sir, – In his thought-provoking opinion piece, Michael McDowell correctly calls out what has turned into an asylum industry in Ireland. For all the Government spin, processing of international protection claims is similar to a slow-spinning roulette wheel, with large numbers awaiting interviews and almost 14,000 in the appeals process. To compound the current ¤1.2 billion being spent on a kafkaesque asylum process, the Government is determined to sign up to an EU migration pact whose deadlines will prove impossible to meet and is highly likely to turn into a lawyer-fattening exercise. No wonder the still minuscule far right is likely to make political gains in forthcoming elections. – Yours, etc, MICHAEL FLYNN, Bayside, Dublin 13. Busy, busy Sir, – In relation to 'The greatest part of any job is learning to look busy,' (July 26th), and ensuing comment, seniors in my organisation know I am extremely busy when there is a dearth of letters in The Irish Times bearing my appellation. Probably prudent not to publish this one. – Yours, etc, FRANK J BYRNE Glasnevin, Dublin. Sir, – When working from home and in the absence of any covert surveillance, and when I really must get a move on, I'm minded to return my chair to the upright position and retract the footrest. –Yours, etc, TOMÁS FINN, Ballinasloe, Co Galway. US presidents and tariffs Sir. – Accepting and recognising the obvious frustration and the challenges expressed by the critics of the US/EU agreement, I wonder if can it really be absolutely argued this is 'a total capitulation' to the bully Donald Trump where the US won and the EU lost ? Unless EU exporters swallow the entire 15 per cent where applicable, US importers and/or ultimately the citizens of the US will pay more for their imported goods. However the citizens of the EU won't face the direct potential of increased costs on US imports. Who really are the winners, and who really are the losers ? History clearly shows that on the three occasions where US presidents oversaw the implementation of a tariff regime (in the 1820s/1890s/1930s), the outcomes each time proved disastrous for the US economy and its citizens, and were ultimately reversed. Who were the big losers in the end? Trump may appear to have won the battle, but chances are he will lose the trade war he so recklessly started. – Yours, etc, CRAIG DOUGLAS, Belfast. Sir, – To all those armchair commentators and negotiators who think the EU should have entered a trade war with Donald Trump, I have a simple question: Would you be prepared to give up your job so the EU could make a point? – Yours, etc, JOHN COTTER, Ferrybank, Waterford. HSE paying on the double Sir, – I note that the company which was paid in excess of ¤720,000 twice by the HSE on foot of the same invoice is now in liquidation (' Company paid €720,000 twice by HSE for same invoice is now in liquidation ,' July 31st). I suppose putting the HSE into liquidation and starting again would be out of the question? – Yours, etc, PAT O'BRIEN, Rathmines, Dublin 6. Give us a break Sir, –Is there any way the commentators could be inveigled upon to cease commentating for a couple of minutes and allow us listeners and viewers at home hear the wonderful playing of the Artane Band during our All-Ireland finals at Croke Park? While they are leading the two teams around the pitch might be a good time. – Yours, etc, URSULA HOUGH-GORMLEY, Donnybrook, Dublin. A definite bargain Sir, – Without a doubt, the €45 million spent on the Dundrum to Dún Laoghaire cycle lane is a bargain – to those who use it without ever being expected to pay a cent in road tax, insurance or licensing. – Yours, etc, RITA O'BRIEN, Co Dublin. Spotify and the arms trade Sir, – Mark O'Connell (' If you didn't have qualms about Spotify before, wait until you hear what its founder has done ', July 26th) will presumably become a conscientious objector should Europe find itself at war with Russia. For if he finds 'something particularly galling' about Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek 'ploughing a massive amount of his personal wealth into the arms trade', who on earth does he imagine is going to build the defence industry Europe needs if it is to protect itself from Russian president Vladimir Putin's imperial visions? In the real world, strong militaries, supplied by high-tech defence manufacturers such as Helsing, the firm Ek has invested in and is now chairing, are needed precisely to give peace a chance. Perhaps he and Deerhoof, the band he cites as deserting Spotify on this news, should talk to Helsing's Ukrainian customers. Rather than sneering at AI drones as deadly products of the profit-seeking 'military-industrial complex', might Ukrainians instead see such weapons as an essential part of saving lives and their country's independence from an imperialist invader? The answer, my friend, is blowing in the cold wind from Moscow. – Yours, etc, BILL EMMOTT, Killiney, Co Dublin. Recognising Palestine Sir, – British prime minister Keir Starmer has threatened to recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel improves the situation in Gaza. Palestinian groups have rightly called this stance 'outrageous'. Surely Palestine should be recognised on the basis of rights, not as diplomatic leverage? Ireland's recognition of Palestine was a principled stand. But recognition alone cannot substitute for immediate, concrete action which includes a ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and accountability for atrocities. Ireland must now continue to press for these urgently at the international level. – Yours, etc, PETER MALBASHA, Booterstown, Co Dublin. Germ warfare Sir, – Norma Jessop's letter reminding us all of the existence of our immune system, and its function in keeping us in good health, was refreshing (Letters, July 31st). Is it not likely that all the stress caused by worrying constantly about the 'scary germs' we may encounter in everyday life is far more likely to finish us off than the occasional, mild and short-lived illnesses we may experience if and when the odd germ manages to break through our natural defences? – Yours, etc. KATHERINE QUIRKE, Co Dublin. Saving details of bank cards Sir, – I recently made a modest purchase from a supplier advertising through a social media platform. I completed the transaction using my credit card, believing that it was a straightforward purchase, using the usual security inputs. Thereafter, I received a 'welcome' email from the social media platform, advising me that my card details had been 'saved' and assuring me of the value of the benefits of this course of action. Since then, I have endeavoured to decouple my card from the platform. Having established the process for withdrawing from this 'service', I went through the interminable maze of conditions on the website, to submit my request. When submitted, I received the message: 'something went wrong with this request, please try again later'. Several failed attempts later, I gave up trying to shake this particular dog off my leg. Call me a cynic, but a platform that can harvest my card details, by stealth, within micro seconds of completing a transaction, should be able to facilitate a withdrawal from the same integrated payments platform without placing obstacles in my way. Perhaps both domestic and EU financial regulators might better inform consumers of their rights in this regard, and ensure that the process of cancelling such facilities be made less cumbersome. – Yours, etc, FRANK WALSH, Co Wexford. Not so open Golf Open Sir, – My husband and I recently purchased re-sale general admission tickets for day two (Friday) of The 153rd Open in Portrush. We intended to bring our eight-week-old exclusively breastfed newborn baby. We had (wrongly) assumed that a newborn baby could freely accompany their mother, as they generally can in society – on airplanes, at concerts, sporting events generally, etc. We had overlooked The Open's policy which required 'all children under the age of 16' to have their own ticket. On contacting The Open, we were advised that no junior tickets were available to purchase and an exemption could not be made to this policy. The Open advised that our only option was to purchase a full price general admission ticket for £110 for our eight-week-old. We made the decision not to attend. The Open clearly needs to reconsider this policy for babies under the age of one, who should be entitled to attend on a parent's ticket. We query whether any women were consulted in the making of this policy. An interesting policy to have strictly enforced for a sport looking to entice women. Available to be consulted for the 154th Open! – Yours, etc, CLARE McADAM, Ringsend, Dublin. An ear for radio Sir, – Marion Walsh says Ita McCormack should not fret (Letters, July 31st). I agree. I use my smart phone and can pick up almost all the BBC stations. BBC4 and World Service are also available on the app. – Yours, etc, GRÁINNE MEYER, Germany.
Irish Times
6 hours ago
- Irish Times
‘Catherine will make an excellent president': Labour Party backs Connolly's bid for Áras
The Labour Party has decided to support Independent TD Catherine Connolly in the upcoming presidential election race . Labour's decision was taken at a meeting of its TDs, Senators, its MEP and Executive Board on Thursday evening. A statement from the party said the meeting was briefed on the Party's membership consultation process which concluded earlier this week. That consultation 'showed a clear majority of members' in favour of supporting Ms Connolly's bid for the presidency. READ MORE The meeting also appointed Dublin South West TD Ciarán Ahern, as the Labour Party's co-ordinator with Ms Connolly's campaign. Mr Ahern thanked party members who took part in the consultation, saying: 'As a party that values democracy and equality, our membership is the driving force of our Party and it was vital to hear their input on this important question.' He added that the party is supporting Ms Connolly as 'the Left candidate for the Presidency' and said: 'We are doing so in the spirit of supporting the development and growth of the Left across the country and demonstrating that an alternative politics is possible here, a cause which our party leader Ivana Bacik has led and promoted over recent years.' Mr Ahern also said: 'While there are issues where we have differed with Deputy Connolly, we are determined that the social democratic values of equality, justice and tolerance should shape the Presidency over the next seven years and follow the legacy of Michael D Higgins.' He added: 'We believe that Catherine Connolly shares those values, and has put them into practice during her political career. 'Catherine will make an excellent President, campaigning and advocating for the common good.' Ms Connolly was previously a Labour councillor before she left the party in 2006 when it denied her a chance to run in the 2007 general election as future president Mr Higgins's running mate. First elected to the Dáil in 2016, Ms Connolly said at the time that Labour had 'lost its soul'. In recent weeks some Labour sources dismissed her fractious history with the party as being in the past. Prospective candidates who wish to get on the presidential election ballot paper must have nominations from 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities. Ms Connolly announced her candidacy in July with the backing of left-wing parties the Social Democrats and People Before Profit along with a number of Independent Oireachtas members. While she said at the time she had more than enough backers to get on the ballot paper, the addition of the Labour Party will put her comfortably over the 20 Oireachtas-member threshold. It comes as a separate online Connolly campaign rally - viewed at times by more than 700 participants - heard more than €28,500 has been donated for her election bid so far. The rally heard praise for Ms Connolly from civil rights campaigner Bernadette Devlin McAliskey, who spoke of how she encouraged the Galway West TD to run, as well as supportive contributions from businessman Fintan Drury, and poet Sarah Clancy. Candidates in the last two presidential campaigns spent hundreds of thousands of Euro in their bids for Áras an Uachtaráin. The rally was told by one of Ms Connolly's team, Béibhinn O'Connor, that more than €26,000 has been raised for the campaign so far with donations averaging at €30. She said: 'This campaign is powered by ordinary people not by wealthy donors or corporate cheque books'. She added: 'At the same time we do need to be honest. We need to raise much more money if we're going to build something strong and lasting.' A further sum of about €2,500 was raised during the rally. When she spoke Ms Connolly pledged to dedicate herself to the 'welfare of the people' should she be successful. 'I promise and I assure you, that notwithstanding the restrictions of the Constitution and the law that governs the role of the president, which I'm very conscious of, I will use my voice as best I can, if I'm elected with your help,' she said. Ms Connolly said her presidential campaign is part of a movement that is 'looking for something different in our country'. 'It is a movement that says we cannot stand idly by and tolerate genocide as we look on in Gaza, or look at the normalisation of war, the normalisation of homelessness,' she said, adding: 'None of this is normal.' 'I have no doubt, with your help, that we will be celebrating in the Áras in November.
Irish Times
6 hours ago
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on infrastructure provision: report is a sad indictment of the system
The report published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform this week on accelerating the provision of infrastructure in Ireland must lead to change. And pushing this through is a key task for Ministers. However, reading it also leads to some reflection on the scale of the opportunity Ireland has missed in recent years. During a time of plenty in the public finances, the scale of which may never be repeated, Ireland has not made the most of the available resources. The previous government took its eye off the ball. Major projects were not progressing, caught in a diplomatic and legal quagmire. Yet little was done and the result is now clear; a housing crisis and creaking infrastructure in areas like water and energy which threaten the policy response to this, as well as undermining the confidence of business investors. A host of problems identified in the report have been clearly evident for years: overly-complicated regulation, often with little purpose; decisions left to the courts due to judicial reviews; and an administrative system stuck in a pattern of risk aversion. The number of judicial reviews of planning decisions continues to rise, up 20 per cent this year on 2024. Many of these are on environmental grounds, but the report finds 'little evidence' that they are leading to better outcomes. The threat of legal review is also found to be driving an overly-cautious approach among regulatory bodies. The report might also have taken a closer look at the role of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform itself. After all, it is the body responsible for the spending of State money and this goes beyond a requirement to watch the pennies. READ MORE This report, completed by the new infrastructure division in the department, is now to be forwarded to a special Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce, a mix of private sector expertise and the key players from the public sector, chaired by Sean O'Driscoll, former chairman and chief executive of the Glen Dimplex Group. An action plan and recommended policy changes are to follow. There is clearly much to be done. The Government will hope that the new Planning Act can help, including by tightening the rules on judicial reviews. But a sweep of Ireland's regulatory practices is also needed. The planning application for Uisce Éireann's big project taking water from the Shannon to serve the Midlands and Dublin regions will likely extend to more than 30,000 pages. Proper oversight of such a major project is essential, but this scale of paperwork serves no useful purpose. Senior ministers, presenting the revised National Development Plan, made great play of talking about reforming delivery. They made no reference to the fact that they had all been in government when these problems were hiding in plain sight.
