Mary Lou McDonald said Ukraine has 'no shortage of countries' willing to fund the military effort, but the Republic is a neutral State. The €90 billion loan is to support Ukraine as it resists the Russian invasion. Sinn Féin has been criticised over its opposition to the initiative, which was approved in the European Parliament, where the party’s two MEPs voted against it. During an interview on RTÉ Radio 1’s This Week programme, McDonald was asked why Sinn Féin opposed the support package for Ukraine. The full international effort has to be around diplomacy, peacemaking.”She said Sinn Féin backs humanitarian support for Ukraine and sanctions against Putin.

Source: The Irish Times February 22, 2026 22:50 UTC