McGrath defends Kallas over comments about Ireland

James Cox

Ireland's EU Commissioner doesn't think the vice president of the Commission meant to offend anyone when she commented on neutrality last week.

Kaja Kallas, the former prime minister of Estonia, said the country's policy lacked understanding of "atrocities, mass deportations, suppression of culture and language".

Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion has asked her to apologise for the comments.

But Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath thinks what she said was over-interpreted.

Mr McGrath said: "I know from my engagement with her that she has a deep affinity for Ireland, there was no malice whatsoever intended in her remarks.

"She is a very knowledgeable, very intelligent, very respectful person. She was speaking freely in an open debate in the Parliament, which is something that should be encouraged."