DUBLIN, Ireland: Ireland's EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has defended Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas over her recent comments on Irish neutrality, saying they were not meant to offend.
Kallas, a former Estonian prime minister, had remarked that Ireland's neutrality policy reflected a lack of understanding of "atrocities, mass deportations, suppression of culture and language." Her remarks drew criticism, with Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion calling for an apology.
However, McGrath believes the comments were misinterpreted.
"I know from my interactions with her that she holds a deep respect for Ireland," he said. "There was no malice intended. She is intelligent, respectful, and highly informed. She spoke freely in a parliamentary debate, which is something we should support."
