Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas, a Chathaoirligh, agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Taoiseach. I feel like an interloper because I am not a Cathaoirleach, so I get to do the work without having the remuneration, which is good. The Joint Committee on European Union Affairs has a very broad remit. We have been concentrating on Brexit very strongly in the initial parts of this term, but I do not want to talk to the Taoiseach about Brexit today. Normally, because of the current situation I would have lots of questions about that, but the committee very recently made a visit to Moldova and Romania. As the Taoiseach is aware, they are countries that are at the forefront of the humanitarian response to the extraordinary humanitarian crisis that has evolved after the illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine. The response of those two states has been amazing and hugely impressive. I wish to ask the Taoiseach four related questions in that regard to which he might respond.

Ireland has undertaken to take 500 refugees from Moldova, complex refugees requiring specific supports. We have not been able to ascertain exactly the situation with them. If he does not have the information now, the Taoiseach might be able to indicate to us what progress we have made to date in dealing with the pledge we made and what further pledges in terms of taking some of the 100,000 plus refugees that are in Moldova, a very poor country?

Moldova is also in need of financial support. We have given €1 million, which is a paltry amount. We met the health Minister there and the health infrastructure is under enormous pressure. I know we give considerable sums to international organisations, but the committee was anxious that we would give cash directly to the health systems and other government agencies in Moldova. Is this something the Government has contemplated?

We were hugely impressed by the degree of preparation those relatively poor countries have made in regard to preparing for refugees. What have we done to prepare for a further influx of refugees that is now likely? Has the Taoiseach engaged with those countries to see how we can replicate some of the preparations they have made?

I am going to stay within the time allocated, so my final question is as follows. On the trip to Moldova, we engaged with it on its application, together with Ukraine and Georgia, to join the European Union. They are very realistic about what is required of them and the timelines that might be envisaged. What are we doing to enhance our bilateral relations with those potential candidate countries? We are aware that we do not have an embassy in either Moldova or in Georgia.