Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the ambassadors to the meeting. Mr. Zurabashvili is a regular attender at our meetings and around Leinster House. We appreciate his briefings. I also welcome Mrs. Miculet. I am delighted that the embassy is open. It will provide an opportunity for an exchange of views and information, which is welcome.

Ireland supports enlargement of the EU. It always has and always will as a general principle. I was a member of this committee prior to 2004 when, every month, potential member state after potential member state came in and made the same plea that our guests are now making. It all came to pass in 2004. There is hope and I have a sense that history is repeating itself. I hope that their applications come to a successful conclusion.

I wish to ask a question on Moldova.

I note that a formal application was made on 3 March, but there was some opposition from the Transnistria region. I do not wish to be difficult. I want to ensure that is not going to be a problem. Tied into that is the domestic support for the EU. I am aware that H.E. Mr. Zurabashvili said there is 86% support for EU membership in Georgia. I would welcome the views of the ambassadors on that.

To take up some of the issues that were raised by other Deputies and Senators, the humanitarian effort and the challenge facing Moldova is quite extraordinary. Looking at a map of Moldova, it is surrounded by the big bear. It must be a very frightening prospect. Moldova's generosity has been commented upon. I have heard the calls that Moldova has made to Irish Aid following the meeting that took place earlier today for financial support and support in relocating people throughout the EU. I have a specific question on humanitarian support. A fund for assistance was mentioned. Are there any particular NGOs working on the ground that we could support in that context, apart from the support that the Government might give?

I will conclude by saying that the invasion of Ukraine has changed everything. As Yeats said: "All changed, changed utterly". We all need to rise to the occasion and meet the challenges. The ambassadors have our support in that regard.