Muiris O'Cearbhaill reports from Brussels

SINN FÉIN MEP Kathleen Funchion has not received the apology she demanded from the EU’s foreign affairs chief for remarks about Ireland.

European Commission vice-president Kaja Kallas said last week that Ireland got to “build up” its “prosperity” following World War II, while European countries behind the Iron Curtain experienced “atrocities, mass deportations, suppression of our culture and language”.

Funchion called for the remarks to be withdrawn. Speaking to reporters in Brussels today, she said 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.”

Funchion noted that her letter was only sent a number of days prior to today’s Nato summit. She said she still hopes to hear from the EU’s foreign affairs commissioner with an apology, adding that she hopes Kallas will also 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. Varadkar 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 transition process or in the development of the region.