16 February 2026
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA has challenged First Minister Michelle O’Neill over Sinn Féin MEPs’ failure to support a €90 billion European Union loan to Ukraine.
Mr O’Toole raised the European Parliament vote during Executive Office questions in the Assembly on Monday.
The First Minister defended the vote against the loan.
South Belfast MLA Matthew O’Toole said:
“As Sinn Féin announced their intention not to attend the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Washington this year it was important to challenge them on their failure to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression from Putin’s war machine. The SDLP has been clear we will not attend the White House in the current circumstances, but it’s hard to see how Sinn Féin can reconcile these opposing positions.
“The First Minister tried to defend her party by saying the money was for weapons and inexplicably mentioning the UK Government. This totally ignores that around €30 billion of this funding would go towards important financial support, without it Ukraine would have run out of money, leaving the country totally vulnerable to Russia.
“Not only did Ireland seek and receive European solidarity in relation to preventing a hard border during the Brexit process, the North continues to benefit from EU peace funding. And, critically, looking forward we will be seeking European support and solidarity in reunifying our island and building a new Ireland inside the EU.
“Shrugging off responsibility when it comes to Ukraine and voting with the neo-nazi far right and Viktor Orban casts real doubt on Sinn Fein's ability to lead that effort.”