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The Journal
08-08-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
'Is mise, le meas': Commissioner writes to Sinn Féin MEP over 'inaccurate' Ireland remarks
THE EU'S FOREIGN policy chief has written to a Sinn Féin MEP who demanded she retract 'deeply inaccurate' remarks about Ireland's history. European Commission vice-president Kaja Kallas said in the European Parliament in May that Ireland got to 'build up' its 'prosperity' following World War II, while other European countries behind the Iron Curtain experienced 'atrocities, mass deportations, suppression of our culture and language'. Ireland South MEP Kathleen Funchion said Kallas' remarks were 'ill-advised' and should be withdrawn . She said her comments, made in the Parliament's chamber during a debate on global conflict, were 'deeply inaccurate'. In a letter to Funchion, seen by The Journal , Kallas did not apologise or confirm that she would withdraw the remarks. She said, however, that she regretted that her comments in the chamber were left open to interpretation. Kallas wrote: 'My remarks were in no way intended to gloss over the difficult experiences in your history, and I regret if they lent themselves to such an interpretation.' Advertisement Thanking the MEP for her letter, the EU's High Representative said that debates in the European Parliament's chamber are 'not always conducive to doing full justice to the complexity of history'. She assured Funchion that she was 'very well aware of the painful chapters in Ireland's history in the last decades of the twentieth century', adding that the 'experience of the Irish people informs the European Union's strategic culture in equal measure as do the experiences of countries once oppressed by the Soviet Union.' Kallas acknowledged that without a 'proper and mutual understanding' of that history, politicians cannot fully acknowledge the complex policy differences between member states currently – Ireland's military neutrality in this instance. Before signing off the letter with 'is mise, le meas', Kallas said she sincerely appreciates Ireland's contribution to restoring peace in Ukraine and progressing the EU's mandate in that regard. Funchion told The Journal that she welcomed the letter from Kallas. The Sinn Féin MEP said it was important that the EU's top diplomat acknowledged 'how her earlier comments were left open to interpretation and the hurt they caused'. 'For many Irish families and communities, the trauma of the past is still very present and the pursuit of truth and justice is still ongoing,' Funchion said, adding that the EU must not overlook that, and should support those goals. Funchion added she would continue to defend those who are still seeking justice in Ireland. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Fine Gael MEP brands the US as an 'untrusted partner' amid tightening restrictions on travel
An Irish MEP claims she would not get a visa to travel to the US due to her support of Palestine, saying America is now an 'untrusted partner'. Fine Gael MEP for Midlands North West Maria Walsh, has criticised the Trump administration for its move to introduce stricter rules for individuals seeking to travel to the US. Ms Walsh, who holds US citizenship, said that while she has never had to experience the visa process, she believes it would not be possible to obtain one due to her stance on Palestine. 'If I was to apply today for a visa, based on what I've said in the last couple of weeks about my support, even since October 7, 2023, based around my support for Palestine and peace in the Middle East, I wouldn't get a visa as a politician. 'That's the real ramifications of an untrusted partner.' On Monday, the US Embassy confirmed that applicants for exchange visas, including J1 visas, will be subject to a 'comprehensive and thorough vetting' of their social media accounts. This will also apply for other visas in the F, M and J non-immigrant classifications. It will require students to provide the embassy with a list of all their social media profiles, while also making them publicly accessible. If an individual does not comply, they could see their visa rejected. Ms Walsh said it was 'incredibly difficult' for her to comprehend the decision by the US. She added the US was going through a period of 'monumental change' and she believed it was going in the wrong direction. The Fine Gael MEP urged students and travellers to 'not put all their eggs in one basket' with the US and to look further afield, while saying the EU needed to make schemes like Erasmus easier to get involved with. The move has been widely criticised, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin describing the new rules as being 'excessive'. Ms Walsh also hit out at the US government for how it treats LGBT+ people, saying the country appeared to be returning to a period like the 1950s, where they were dismissed from jobs in the government for their sexuality. Sadly, if you look online, we're probably not too far away from that. She added Ireland's upcoming Presidency of the EU would need to hold governments moving away from 'fundamental freedoms' accountable. It comes as Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion suggested opposition parties could 'potentially' support Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill as a joint candidate for Irish President. Ms Funchion, MEP for Ireland South, said there was a 'lot of merit' to left-wing parties coalescing around a shared candidate for the upcoming presidential election. 'You would hope to see that people would row in behind a progressive candidate,' Ms Funchion said. She could not give direct guarantees that other opposition parties would support Ms O'Neill, who last week declined to rule out a run at the presidency. Ms Funchion said discussions were still ongoing within the party as to the next steps towards the presidential election, citing her own role in talks as a member of the Ard Comhairle. 'I really like the optics of the opposition working together in the Dáil, for example. I think we need to see more of that,' Ms Funchion said. I think for those of us who don't want Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael in government any longer, it gives great hope that you can work with others and such. Ms Funchion said if Ms O'Neill opted to throw her hat in the ring, Sinn Féin would be '100% supportive'. 'I suppose to be fair to the party and to members, they haven't made a decision on that yet, but I'd imagine it would be very shortly because time is of the essence.' Meanwhile, Ms Funchion confirmed she is yet to receive any apology from the European Commission's High Representative Kaja Kallas, after the senior EU diplomat criticised Ireland in a speech. Ms Kallas said Ireland was able to 'build up their prosperity' amid the post-World War II period, while other European nations behind the Iron Curtain suffered 'atrocities, mass deportations, suppressing your culture, and language'. Ms Funchion said she was 'taken aback' by Ms Kallas comments, which were 'really bad form'.
The Journal
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
EU commissioner has not (yet) withdrawn 'insensitive' remarks about Ireland, Sinn Féin MEP says
Muiris O'Cearbhaill reports from Brussels SINN FÉIN MEP Kathleen Funchion has not received any correspondence from the EU's foreign affairs commissioner after she called on Kaja Kallas to withdraw remarks she made about Ireland last week. Kallas, during a debate ahead of this week's Nato summit in Brussels, claimed got that Ireland got to 'build up their prosperity' following World War II while the rest of Europe experienced 'atrocities, mass deportations, suppression of our culture and language'. During the same debate earlier, Funchion had criticised the increased debates and discussions on war and conflict, suggesting that the EU should instead focus on its original role as a peace project . Speaking to reporters in Brussels today, after the Midlands North West MEP on Thursday called for the remarks to be withdrawn, Funchion said that she has not heard back from Kallas. She added: 'I really was taken aback by the comments… For her to actually single us out like that, I thought was really bad form, first of all. Second, she was completely wrong in what she was saying.' Advertisement Funchion noted that the letter was only sent a number of days prior to today's event. She hopes that to hear from the European Commission Vice President with an apology and that she accepts an invitation to visit Northern Ireland. Last week, Funchion said Kallas' comments were 'ill-advised and deeply insensitive to the experiences of Irish communities still seeking justice to this day'. 'Delighted' by Varadkar comments The Sinn Féin MEP was also asked about former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's recent comments in support of a United Ireland , who said he would sacrifice economic growth for the reunification of the island. Funchion said: 'Really delighted to see that… I really welcome [it]. You're going to expect that people from Sinn Féin will talk about a United Ireland, but I will always welcome people from other sectors saying [it] too.' She pushed back on the suggestion that reunification would cause economic hardship, adding that the EU could have a role to play in a transitionary process or in the development of the region. Responding to questions by The Journal , Funchion said that through her work on the UK-EU plenary group and correspondence with colleagues, members of the public in Northern Ireland are represented. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Sinn Féin MEP calls on EU commissioner to withdraw 'deeply inaccurate' remarks about Ireland
SINN FÉIN MEP Kathleen Funchion has called on the EU's foreign commissioner to her withdraw remarks on Ireland's neutrality. During a debate at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday on the upcoming Nato summit next week, Funchion criticised the EU's inaction on dealing with Israel's military operations in the Gaza, Iran and other parts of the Middle East. The Ireland South MEP later noted the sovereign right of each member state to choose its own foreign policies and if they participate in military alliances such as Nato. She said that the EU hopes it recognises Ireland's right to maintain its historical neutral stance. 'We in Ireland have a proud history and tradition of UN peacekeeping, and long may that continue,' Funchion said, adding that it was 'important to reference the creeping militarisation into EU politics'. 'This debate has been a combination of maddening and depressing for the past two hours, listening to the vast majority of speakers. I would also remind people that, at its core, the EU is supposed to be a peace project, and we should not move away from this' Other members also voiced concern over the fulfilment of international law obligations in the conflict during the debate and called for a renewed effort to achieve peace in the Middle East and in Ukraine. 'Peace does not mark end of suffering' During her closing remarks, the European Commission Vice President and foreign affairs Commissioner Kaja Kallas said that peace can only be achieved in Ukraine when the aggressor, Russia, is willing to negotiate. She addressed Funchion's remarks and claimed that Ireland had the chance for 'prosperity' in the years following the World War II, while the rest of Europe experienced 'atrocities'. She said, in that context, that a negotiated peace through surrender would not benefit countries under siege by others. Advertisement 'I want to address our Irish colleagues,' Kallas said. 'Peace doesn't mean the human suffering will stop. If you surrender, you [still] have the aggressor. [If] you say, 'Take all that you want', it doesn't mean that human suffering will stop. 'In our experience behind the Iron Curtain [the border between the Soviet Union and Europe during the Cold War] after World War II, countries like Ireland got to build up their prosperity, but for us, it meant atrocities, mass deportations, suppression of our culture and language. 'This is what happens, it is peace – but not freedom. It's not freedom of choice for people. And that is what the EU is all about and that's what we're fighting for.' 'Ill-advised remarks should be withdrawn' The remarks have been criticised as 'deeply inaccurate' by MEP Funchion, who said the vice-president was dismissive of the post-war experience of people on the island of Ireland. Funchion said Kallas' comments were 'ill-advised and deeply insensitive to the experiences of Irish communities still seeking justice to this day'. She added: 'Ireland too endured atrocities, from the Ballymurphy massacre to Bloody Sunday, where innocent civilians were shot and killed by British soldiers. Our people suffered internment without trial, and widespread discrimination in housing and employment, particularly in the North. 'Furthermore, the suppression of Irish language and culture has been an ongoing battle, as evidenced by the decades-long campaign for an Irish Language Act in the North. She added: 'I have written to the vice-president asking her to withdraw her remarks and to acknowledge the reality of Ireland's past.' Kallas' office has been contacted for comment. Includes reporting by Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Extra.ie
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion details abusive relationship with ex partner
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion has urged anyone that knows someone who might be in a coercive relationship to not be judgemental but 'listen to them.' The 44-year-old politician detailed how she has come to terms with her own abusive relationship at the hands of her partner of six years, Sean Tyrell. Mr Tyrell was sentenced to four-months in jail for offences under Coco's Law against Ms Funchion. Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion has urged anyone that knows someone who might be in a coercive relationship to not be judgemental but 'listen to them.' Pic: Ireland AM/ Instagram Speaking on Ireland AM on Monday, the MEP told presenters Tommy Bowe and Muireann O'Connell how her relationship with Tyrell was 'dysfunctional at times.' 'Hindsight is hindsight for a reason,' she said, 'There was elements of control probably from very early on.' Ms Funchion added that the control can be 'hard to identify' as it is a gradual process which results in you doubting and questioning yourself. She added that it results in a 'huge amount of confidence' lost, which is what the abusive partner wants. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ireland AM (@irelandamvmtv) The MEP for Ireland South detailed how her ex-partner would question if she wasn't home by a certain time, a feat difficult for a politician who deals with the public. 'You're always trying to be ten steps ahead to think what kind of potential issue is happening here,' she detailed. 'I felt that I was always trying to find a solution as I really loved Sean, I really wanted this relationship to work. For me, this was it. I was determined to see how we could figure this out.' Ms Funchion detailed how her partner had been threatening to go to journalists with 'various stories' about her claiming that she was financially and physically abusive to him. Speaking on Ireland AM on Monday, the MEP told presenters Tommy Bowe and Muireann O'Connell how her relationship with Tyrell was 'dysfunctional at times.' Pic: Ireland AM/ Instagram 'I went to the Gardaí; I reached out to the Amber Women's Refuge as well,' the politician shared. She went on to give her praise to Gardaí and the protective services unit in Kilkenny who she branded as 'amazing' during the case. Speaking about writing her victim impact statement, she admitted it took her a 'very long time' to write it, adding that she was 'physically sick' in the lead up to having to read it out in court. 'It is very, very difficult for people,' she said, 'I've always had admiration for people who come forward but even more-so after going through it.' The Kilkenny woman added that she did feel 'physically lighter' following the case, but detailed there are still difficulties in her life following on from the relationship, such as letting people into her life. 'That is something that has changed for me,' she stated, 'But I am really glad that I did go all the way with it.'
