Mr. Nick Henderson:

There is a lot to say on this issue. I think there is a critical problem in that the Government's humanitarian response was very commendable at the beginning, but it has not been matched with a medium- to long-term plan. We have twice recommended to the Taoiseach and various Government Departments directly that the post of Ukraine response director should be created, and that there should be a national action plan on Ukraine containing various pillars, including education. We produced a policy paper on 7 April 2022 that discussed medium- and long-term housing options. Nearly two months have passed since the publication of that paper and only one action is being implemented, namely, the €400 payment for hosting refugees. In fact, it has not yet been implemented. From what I have heard from my colleagues today, a lot of good work is being done for children from Ukraine in schools. It is not as if we are saying it is all bad. I believe that we have an opportunity to prepare in the coming months.

On the Chairman's suggestion that we pause the programme, I think it would be completely unethical. It would bring us into line with that the UK is doing. The Taoiseach's leadership, compared to that in the UK, has been exemplary. Fundamentally, I think it would be a breach of EU law to pause the programme. We opted in to the directive. I do not believe we can necessarily opt out. Let us take stock. It is a very challenging period. I was at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday to watch a football match. There were way more people in that stadium than we have welcomed in the last two months. It is a manageable problem if we have resources and a plan in place. I fear that the absence of a plan will hinder us. I think there will be significant challenges ahead without it.