RTE listeners have hit out at host Joe Duffy after comments he made during a Liveline discussion on Russia and the controversy surrounding their boats in recent days.
Concerns have been raised over the Russian Navy's plans to conduct military exercises 240km off the Cork coast next month.
The artillery drills, which are due to start in February, will be held in international waters but will remain in Irish controlled airspace and Ireland's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Brendan Byrne, chief executive of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association and Patrick Murphy of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation met with the Russian ambassador to Ireland, Yury Filatov, earlier this week.
And on Thursday, he joined Joe to talk about the "amicable" discussions held.
But one comment in particular from the host rubbed people up the wrong way.
Joe asked Brendan: "What's the Russian Embassy like? Cause you wouldn't get in there unless you were Left-Wing or a Communist."
People instantly took to social media to blast Joe for the comment.
One user said: "Joe Duffy has lost the plot. This would be amusing except for the fact that it’s our tax money which pays for this utter drivel."
A second tweeted: "Joe Duffy entering Mattie McGrath type stupidity with that communist remark."
While a third believed: ""Joe is having serious difficulty believing Russian people can be civil and accommodating."
Liveline has been discussing the issue all week, but this was also criticised by listeners, who said: "Jesus, is this really public service broadcasting?" and "That was painful - what is Joe Duffy playing at this week?
The debate comes as Russia appears to be setting up to invade Ukraine as tensions grow along the Russia-Ukraine border.
But Irish Defence Forces Reservist Robert Gilbey also warned that this is not the first time a Russian operation near the British Isles has sparked panic.
However, this is not the first time a Russian operation off the coast has concern, as in 2017 and during summer 2021, a Russian spy ship was spotted.
