Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We always have to think about things from a policy point of view, and be thinking ahead, but there is no point in working the detail until we are much closer to the date because things can change either for the better or rapidly the other way. We saw how during Covid, for example, restrictions suddenly fizzled out. I presume, however, that those who are working in the economy will not be treated as coming from third countries as regards continuing to work here. If they have jobs, they should be allowed to continue to work here. Based on the figure the Minister gave us, something like 33% of adult Ukrainians are working, if we exclude children and pensioners. Of the potential workforce, we were given a figure of 33%, which is quite high, considering the language barriers they faced. In the experience of a lot of us, many of them are very active in seeking employment. They are in jobs such that if they were all suddenly to disappear, there would be a huge gap in providing employment. The big change in the world is that labour shortages are the problem.

It is important that we upskill and focus significantly on training. We know where the shortages are in the economy. We should match the skills to the abilities of people and train them, particularly where there are gaps in the economy that they can fill. I agree with the Minister that we need to be thinking about it but not making final decisions until much nearer the date.

It is to be hoped the war does not go on and on. We can never lose sight of the loss of life and humanitarian suffering caused by war. In the meantime, we all have to redouble our efforts to end this war.